Artificial intelligence, an asset for mental health
According to the WHO, there has been a 13% increase in mental health problems and substance use disorders over the period 2007-2017. And the Covid-19 crisis has led to a sharp decline in the mental health of the population. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a real asset in taking care of one’s mental health. Indeed, this technology can be used to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat mental health problems.
At MIT, using artificial intelligence to empower patients
At the beginning of 2022, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) presented a collaborative project between the Institute and the Massachusetts General Hospital. The aim is to set up a deep learning algorithm to help diagnose and monitor changes in symptoms in people suffering from severe depressive disorders.
The algorithm identifies recurrent patterns of severe depressive disorders from smartphone or connected object data such as electrodermal activity, heart rate, sleep cycle analysis or physical activity level.
The aim of this project is to give patients the tools to take care of their mental health, by making it more accessible to them.
For more information: Deploying machine learning to improve mental health
Artificial intelligence algorithms on social networks to detect depression
The Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania and the Human Language Analysis Lab at Stony Brook University have developed the World Well-Being project (WWBP). This is an artificial intelligence algorithm that measures the mental well-being of individuals based on the analysis of language in social networks.
This project has proved its effectiveness since the algorithm recognises the symptoms of depression 3 months before an official diagnosis is made.
For more information: World Well-Being Project
Artificial intelligence may also have other implications for mental health, as the technology has real potential to improve care and access to it, and to change the way mental disorders are identified.
For more information: Artificial Intelligence in Canadian Mental Health Services
