Chatbots in Mental Health Support: Benefits and Ethical Considerations
Course details:

This course explores how AI-powered chatbots are transforming mental health support, from offering immediate assistance to providing long-term therapeutic tools. Participants will learn how chatbots work, their benefits, and the ethical considerations involved in their use.

Course benefits:
  • Learn how mental health chatbots offer immediate emotional support.

  • Understand the benefits and limitations of using AI chatbots.

  • Explore real-world applications for mental health crises and therapy.

  • Address ethical concerns like data privacy and trust.

Course objectives:
  1. Understand the role of AI chatbots in mental health care.

  2. Learn how to use and evaluate chatbot platforms for emotional support.

  3. Explore ethical concerns in AI-assisted therapy.

  4. Develop a balanced approach to using chatbots in mental health routines.

5-day program:

Day 1: Introduction to Mental Health Chatbots

  • Morning Session: Understanding the Role of AI Chatbots in Mental Health.

  • Afternoon Workshop: Exploring Popular Chatbot Tools (e.g., Woebot, Replika).

  • Evening Activity: Reflective Sharing – Expectations and Experiences.

Day 2: Benefits and Real-World Applications

  • Morning Session: How Chatbots Offer Immediate and Long-Term Support.

  • Afternoon Workshop: Testing Chatbot Responses in Real-Life Scenarios.

  • Evening Activity: Sharing Insights from Personal Interactions.

Day 3: Chatbot Features and Limitations

  • Morning Session: Understanding AI Algorithms and Response Patterns.

  • Afternoon Workshop: Identifying Gaps and Challenges in Chatbot Interactions.

  • Evening Activity: Group Brainstorm on Improving Chatbot Use.

Day 4: Addressing Ethical Considerations

  • Morning Session: Privacy, Confidentiality, and Trust in AI Chatbots.

  • Afternoon Workshop: Case Discussions on Ethical Scenarios.

  • Evening Activity: Creating Ethical Use Guidelines for Chatbots.

Day 5: Integrating Chatbots into Mental Health Support

  • Morning Session: Designing a Personal Plan for Chatbot Use.

  • Afternoon Workshop: Sharing Plans and Providing Feedback.

  • Evening Activity: Final Reflections and Certification Ceremony.