AI Chatbots: The New Therapy Choice for Youth in Taiwan and China - Bio Points News

Taipei, Taiwan (May 23, 2025): Across Taiwan and China, young people grappling with mental health challenges are increasingly turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Baidu’s Ernie Bot, and DeepSeek for affordable and discreet emotional support. Driven by rising mental illness rates, limited access to professional therapy, and persistent cultural stigma, these tools offer a low-cost alternative to traditional counseling. However, experts warn that while AI holds immense potential for mental health care, its limitations—such as missing non-verbal cues and lacking ethical oversight—pose serious risks, particularly for those in acute distress.

Ann Li, a 30-year-old Taiwanese woman, found solace in ChatGPT during sleepless nights after a serious health diagnosis. “It’s easier to talk to AI when my friends are asleep and I haven’t told my family,” she told The Guardian. Similarly, Yang, a 25-year-old from Guangdong, China, used a chatbot to share struggles she couldn’t voice to others, eventually recognizing her need for professional help. “Talking to AI helped me realize I might need a proper diagnosis,” Yang said. Their stories reflect a growing trend, with a recent Harvard Business Review survey identifying psychological assistance as a top reason adults use AI chatbots, and hundreds of thousands of social media posts praising AI’s role in mental health support.

A Crisis of Access and Stigma

Mental health issues are surging among young people in Taiwan and China, particularly Gen Z, with anxiety and depression rates climbing post-COVID. In Taiwan, the National Health Research Institutes reported a 20% increase in youth mental health consultations since 2020, yet only 1 psychiatrist exists per 10,000 people. In China, the mental health system is even more strained, with just 2.2 psychiatrists per 100,000. High costs—sessions in Taipei can exceed $100—and long waitlists deter many. Cultural stigma further isolates those in need, as discussing mental health remains taboo. “Ethnic Chinese often suppress feelings,” said Dr. Yi-Hsien Su, a clinical psychologist at True Colors in Taiwan. “Chatbots are accessible and judgment-free.”

Why AI Chatbots Appeal

In Taiwan, ChatGPT dominates, while in China, where Western apps are banned, Ernie Bot and DeepSeek are popular, rapidly integrating mental health features. Users like Nabi Liu, a 27-year-old Taiwanese woman in London, value AI’s immediate, serious responses. “Friends might not relate, but ChatGPT responds genuinely,” she said. Chatbots save time and money, with no appointments needed, and offer discretion in societies where mental health stigma persists. X posts, like @MentalHealthTW’s, highlight AI’s role in “breaking barriers for Gen Z,” with users sharing how bots provide coping strategies or encouragement to seek help.

Risks of AI-Driven Therapy

Despite their appeal, AI chatbots have significant limitations. Ann Li noted that ChatGPT’s responses can feel predictable, lacking the self-discovery of human therapy. “It gives you the conclusion you’d reach after multiple sessions,” she said. More critically, AI misses non-verbal cues like body language or tone, which professionals use to assess severity. Dr. Su explained, “A patient might act differently from how they speak, and we catch that—AI can’t.” Tragic cases, including suicides linked to chatbot reliance, underscore these dangers. The Taiwan Counselling Psychology Association warns that AI’s “overly positive” tone can delay necessary care and operates outside professional ethics and peer review.

The Role of Human Professionals

The association views AI as an “auxiliary tool” but insists it cannot replace human intervention, especially in crises. “The complexity of psychotherapy requires a real, present professional,” a spokesperson said. AI’s potential lies in supporting those with mild distress or encouraging professional help, as it did for Yang. However, without regulation, users risk falling through the cracks, missing diagnoses or escalating crises. Su sees promise in AI for training clinicians or detecting at-risk individuals online but urges caution: “It’s a simulation with limits—you don’t know how the answer was made.”

A Path Forward with Caution

Experts like Su are excited about AI’s potential to modernize mental health care, from improving access to scaling outreach in schools and communities. In China, DeepSeek’s recent updates include mood-tracking features, while Taiwan’s health ministry is exploring AI-assisted helplines. Yet, oversight is critical. X user @TechEthicsCN called for “strict guidelines to prevent AI from becoming a crutch,” reflecting broader concerns. As Taiwan and China navigate this AI-driven shift, balancing innovation with human care will be key to ensuring young people receive the support they need without compromising safety.