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Young People Are Turning to AI for their Mental Health. It’s Time We Listen to Why.
A new report from Jack.org explores how young people in Canada are using AI for mental health support, and what adults need to understand about it
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is quickly becoming part of young people’s everyday lives, including how they navigate mental health.
Jack.org’s Youth Voice Report explores how and why young people in Canada are turning to GenAI for their mental health, what the concerns and opportunities are, and what their experiences can tell us about the shifting youth mental health landscape in Canada.
The first report of its kind in Canada, the report draws on a national survey of 395 young people about their experiences with GenAI. The report was designed in collaboration with Jack.org’s Youth Voice Council Research & Evaluation Subcommittee.
What The Report Explores
One in three young people surveyed use GenAI for their mental health at least once a month. For some, it can feel like a private, accessible, and judgement-free place to seek support. But the report also points to the reality that many young people turn to GenAI when support from another person feels unavailable or difficult to reach.
Crucially, nearly half of them did not disclose their use to anyone. This points to the possibility of a compounding stigma: young people may already face stigma about mental health and help-seeking, while also feeling shame or hesitation about telling others that they’re turning to GenAI for support.
The report explores the nuances of how and why young people are using GenAI, the needs and barriers that shape these choices, and what their experiences can tell us about a changing mental health landscape.
About the Youth Voice Report
The Youth Voice Report is an annual report from Jack.org that explores the issues shaping young people’s mental health and centres their experiences and perspectives on those issues.
Media Inquiries:
Danielle Kinahan
danielle@jack.org
