On February 16, 2026, Dr. Olive Woo and Dr. Yuk Ming Tang will release “DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth,” addressing the escalating mental health crisis impacting China’s young population. Despite rapid socioeconomic advancements, over 20% of Chinese teens experience depression, and suicide is a leading cause of death for those aged 15-24. Stigmatized societal attitudes and insufficient mental health resources intensify this “silent crisis.”
The authors advocate for AI platforms like DeepSeek, which utilize natural language processing and generative AI to provide anonymous, accessible support. These tools can bridge care gaps, especially in underserved areas. However, they emphasize that AI should complement, not replace, human therapists, advocating for stringent oversight and ethical frameworks to mitigate biases and privacy risks. The future of AI in mental health care hinges on balancing innovation with responsible use, aiming for global collaboration to enhance mental health outcomes.
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