Could AI be the answer to Britain's burgeoning anxiety epidemic?

The founders of a new service called HelloSelf Companion that is already helping real-world patients certainly think so. REBECCA LEY reports

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Global warming. Unimaginable horrors shared through social media. Conflict abroad and division at home... it's no surprise more of us are reporting feeling anxious. Roughly one in five adults is currently living with diagnosable anxiety or related conditions. And the number is growing. But rest easy, everyone, because the tech giants think they have a solution - and it’s Al.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said: “I personally have the belief that everyone should probably have a therapist. It's like someone they can talk to throughout the day... about whatever issues they're worried about. And for people who don't have a person whos a therapist, I think everyone will have an Al”

Earlier this month, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services in England.

It will examine whether there is evidence of overdiagnosis and what gaps in support exist. Ministers say they are already investing in expanding services, but there are long waits for therapy in many areas.

For their part, many healthcare providers seem to agree that the latest technology is the way of tackling the burgeoning mental health crisis.

COULD AI BE THE ANSWER?

The founders of HelloSelf believe so. Last month, the UK-based online therapy platform launched HelloSelf Companion - the first customer-facing Al in the world developed by therapists. It lives in their app and looks like a faceless lump of green Play-Doh - but a friendly one that provides personalised therapeutic support and reminds users to do the things they discussed with their therapist.

Dr Rumina Taylor, co-founder of HelloSelf and a clinical psychologist who works in the NHS, says HelloSelf Companion has huge potential to improve access to therapy and boost outcomes by supporting users between and beyond sessions.