Bringing thoughts into the light: AI and mental health

This week, on October 10th, World Mental Health Day took place. In that context, we had invited Ingvard Wilhelmsen, a doctor, author, and lecturer, to NOVA House in Oslo to give a talk titled "Life is an Uncertain Project." He spoke about how to manage uncertainty and unpredictability in life. Wilhelmsen believes that most things in life are beyond our control and that our emotions and thoughts are not always reliable. The only thing we can have full control over is our attitudes and behavior.

Throughout the lecture, he discussed common perceptions of uncertainty and risk, changes, life and death, the past and the future, using examples from his long career to show how things can go wrong for some of us. Worries about the future can take over and ruin both sleep and quality of life, even though it makes little sense to prepare for everything that might happen. Similarly, worries about the past seem pointless since we can't change what has already happened.

His straightforward approach was refreshing to listen to because we all know that what he says is true. And the fact that we recognize ourselves in his words was part of his message. By bringing thoughts that lead to mental distress into the light and confronting them with open questions, we can prevent them from taking root.

While Wilhelmsen's approach to uncertainty is rooted in human behavior, technology, particularly AI, is offering new avenues for addressing mental health issues that arise from these uncertainties.

AI’s constant presence in discussions may feel overwhelming to some, but its impact on nearly every industry, including health care, is undeniable. This was evident even during the Nobel Prize announcements this week, where artificial intelligence played a key role in the discoveries recognized by both the chemistry and physics awards.

According to a recent Economist article, AI systems are proving highly effective at diagnosing mental health conditions by identifying patterns that may be missed by human clinicians, such as subtle changes in speech patterns or behaviors. By analyzing vast amounts of data from patients, AI systems are capable of detecting patterns and indicators that may be invisible to human clinicians. Just as Wilhelmsen advocates for bringing harmful thoughts into the open, AI can shine a light on hidden mental health issues, providing early interventions that were previously unattainable.

This integration of AI in mental health care demonstrates how technology is becoming an ally in uncovering and addressing mental struggles. It hints at a future where AI companions help us manage our thoughts and emotions. While this may seem scary to some, it could be part of the solution in a society facing rising mental health issues.

I believe the key lies in striking the right balance between human insight and technological support. Just as Wilhelmsen emphasizes that we can control our attitudes and behaviors despite life’s uncertainties, AI doesn’t diminish our agency but amplifies it—helping us identify and manage emotional distress earlier and with greater precision. By working alongside our own self-awareness, AI can be an invaluable ally in navigating the complexities of mental health, allowing us to remain in control while benefiting from the early detection and support that technology can offer

The outlook for the future appears promising. What role do you think technology should play in our emotional well-being?