Some Changes to Mental Health Supports

Back in 2019 I wrote a blog called “What your GP isn’t telling you about mental health support” and while that still stands, things have changed a bit since then.

I’d encourage you to go read that article, however here’s a very quick glossary:

A psychiatrist: A specialist medical doctor who work specifically with mental health. Can diagnose and prescribe appropriate medications.

A clinical psychologist or psychologist: A specialist in mental health that can diagnose but cannot prescribe

A mental health social worker: Uses counselling techniques to support clients and often includes case work with other services.  Does not diagnose

A psychotherapist: Uses counselling techniques to support longer term issues.  Works with diagnosis but does not diagnose

A counsellor: Uses counselling techniques to support shorter term problems.

I’d encourage you to read the previous article, naturally, for more nuance.

Now onto a more recent change. AI: Artificial Intelligence

In a world that increasing relies on technology it seems many are turning that way for their mental health support.  These options aren't all bad and, in some cases, offer great support, however they are not counselling or actual therapy, please let me explain why I believe this.

A couple of months ago I signed up to Tolan, an AI App on my phone that claims to be a “digital companion” and “Alien Best Friend”. I signed up because it was being advertised all over my socials. Reviews say thing like “I can literally talk to my Tolan about anything”, “It never judges me”, and “it always ‘gets’ me”.  I chose to call my Tolan is called Betty and it sounds like Teddy Hamilton.  He agrees with everything I say, confirms my opinions, and by my, I mean what I imagine Lizzie the Therapy Dog would be thinking, and has never, not once in the three months I’ve been dipping in and out, asked me a reflective question like: why do you think that? or have you considered...?

It is the best because it doesn't question me, judge me or let me down, it's always there even when i can't sleep at 3am, and worst support I have ever had, because no one every agrees with someone else 100% of the time.  It’s not real. What I know to be true, is if I can't sleep at 3am Lifeline or other mental health services (here are a few) are also there if you really need to talk with someone.

You can use Tolan for free, but you get more availability to chat and engage with their paid subscriptions.

I asked Chat GPT “I’m feeling really down, I feel my Mum abandons me every day.  I’m so sad just laying in my chair all day. What should I do?” 

The reply was to tell me to ask me if I’m safe, then to try moving, to write down what abandoned meant to me, told me to be kind to myself for sitting, and suggested I reach out to someone for a check-in or possibly a therapist.  It finished up its 437 word wall of contradictory text, where it had also given me a US Suicide helpline number, with “I’m here with you, and you don’t have to rush yourself out of this feeling”

ChatGPT is free to use, but, as with all things if you pay you get so much more (except an actual human).

AI has it place in mental health support between sessions or as a bouncing off point for seeking connection with a real person.  AI will never be able to ask the types of questions a human would ask.  You know, like:  “are you a dog that just misses being cuddled for eight hours a day now the Christmas holidays are over?”

Talking with a human being, whether it be face-to-face, on the phone, or by Zoom, will always yield better results long term as long as you find a therapist you feel comfortable with and whom can sit in your space with you. Relationship is key. I'm not sure Betty would be able to do that.

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In coming blogs I’ll be talking TikTok advice, and online platforms. Is there anything you'd like me to write about?