OpenAI says a million users per week ask ChatGPT about suicide: Experts share 5 things your should do for your mental health instead

In an age where we ask Alexa for recipes, Siri for directions and ChatGPT for life advice, it is easy to assume that our screens can soothe our minds too but here is the quiet truth that experts are now underscoring: while AI can converse, it cannot care. It can generate answers but not empathy and when it comes to your mental health, especially in moments of distress, anxiety or loneliness, human connection remains irreplaceable.

A recently disclosed internal report from OpenAI reveals that over a million people each week turn to ChatGPT to talk about suicidal thoughts, highlighting a growing mental-health crisis that online tools alone cannot address. While ChatGPT can offer information and companionship, it lacks the capacity to recognise risk, intervene during crises, or provide therapeutic support — underscoring that human connection and professional care remain essential for safeguarding mental well-being.

In an interview with the Times of India, Dr Shilpi Saraswat, Clinical Psychologist at Sakra World Hospital in Bengaluru, shared, “AI chatbots can cause potential harm when used for mental health, particularly for vulnerable individuals. It can lead to confusion or even harmful responses with significantly negative consequences.” The American Psychological Association (APA) echoes this warning, stressing that while AI might feel supportive, it lacks the ability to recognise crisis cues or intervene in life-threatening situations.

So, what should you do instead of pouring your heart into an algorithm?

Reach out, not log in

If you are struggling emotionally, reach out to a trusted friend, family member or a licensed therapist. Bringing her expertise to the same, Psychologist Dhara Ghuntla pointed out that “over a million people weekly turn to ChatGPT to talk about suicidal thoughts and that is deeply concerning.” This is because while technology can listen, it cannot act. “When someone is in emotional distress or crisis, professional help is not just helpful — it’s life-saving,” she said.

Therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists are trained to assess risk, offer evidence-based care and develop crisis management plans. AI, on the other hand, can offer information but never intervention.

Try mindfulness over messages

Dr Saraswat recommended daily practices of “mindfulness, journalling, gratitude, yoga, exercise and maintaining good sleep hygiene” that ground your mental health in the physical world. These are small yet powerful acts that create stability and reduce anxiety, far more effectively than endlessly typing your feelings into a chatbot window.

Build a mental health toolkit

Healthy coping doesn’t need to be digital. Creating structure helps. Start with three small habits:

• Acknowledging your emotions instead of avoiding them.
• Creating daily plans or routines to manage overwhelm.
• Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or walks outdoors.

These tools build real-world resilience, something that AI cannot simulate. Dr Saraswat warned, "One of the biggest risks of using an AI chatbot as a substitute for a therapist is that it may not always be able to identify high risk or emergency situations. They also have no way of delivering crisis intervention, which can mean that mental health emergencies can go unchecked, erasing the chance of a professional being able to offer vital support."

She added, "To ensure effective and safe application of ChatGPT, it is essential to take into consideration the potential dire effects of AI on mental health. While ChatGPT and other AI‐based chatbots are gaining popularity in the field of mental health for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, we should also be aware of the potential bias, privacy breach, and false information dissemination through the platform."

Use technology wisely

This is not about demonising AI. ChatGPT and other platforms can still serve a positive role when used responsibly, to access educational information, journalling prompts or initial self-help guidance but Dr Saraswat noted, "Understanding your mental health is very important. It’s okay to connect AI but it’s temporary don’t depend on AI completely because it needs human connection empathy to listen and make feel safe, always getting the advice may not work. You can reach out to your trusted family member aur friend aur mental health professional for support and it’s okay to ask for help."

She added, "Get licensed therapist support, connect with tele counselling or tele mental health government owned services. Like tele manas you can guide you well and support you in crisis. Get connected with crisis help line." If you are ever in doubt, use technology to connect with the right help, not replace it. India’s government-backed Tele MANAS and other tele-counselling services can connect you with licensed professionals instantly.

Remember: Asking for help is strength, not weakness

Dhara Ghuntla said, "Mental-health professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors are trained to assess risk, offer evidence-based support and create crisis management plans that lead to real clinical improvement and long-term recovery. Early intervention can reduce the intensity of symptoms, prevent escalation and restore a person’s sense of stability and hope."

She reminded that seeking professional help is “an act of courage — the first step toward genuine healing and recovery.” There is no shame in needing help as the shame lies in believing you must cope alone.

Bottom line

AI can simulate understanding but it cannot feel. It can mirror empathy but not offer it. In the end, what heals us is not code; it is connection. The next time you feel low, skip the chatbot and pick up the phone. Call a friend, text a therapist or step outside for a walk. The most powerful algorithm for healing is not digital, it is human.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, reach out to a trusted mental health professional or a local helpline immediately. In India, you can contact Tele MANAS (14416 or 1-800-891-4416) for free and confidential support.
Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.