AI Chatbot for Depression Self-Help

Depression is common among young adults, aggravated by the problems of the COVID-19 pandemic, but mental health treatments are few. This study explores the conceptualization, creation, and utilization of an AI chatbot specifically designed for the purpose of assisting individuals in managing their depression. Depression, a prevalent mental health concern, poses considerable obstacles in terms of identification, treatment, and availability of assistance. This chapter addresses those issues by examining the design, implementation, and ethical consideration associated with AI chatbots that provide valuable support to people who are experiencing depression. The conversation design of this chatbot places a strong emphasis on empathy, compassion, and non-judgmental interactions and discusses evidence-based depression information, including symptoms, causes, and treatments. This chapter presents the clinical performance and usefulness of Tess, XiaoNan, and XiaoE, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT–based AI chatbots for depressive adults. These chatbots provide a realistic and engaging digital therapy strategy that is accessible and self-guided for depression. The significance of continuous improvement, which allows the chatbot to undergo development through user feedback and the latest advancements in depression treatment and AI technology, is also explored in this chapter.