Mental Health Day Special: AI and Mental Health in Singapore

Admin
1 day ago
4 min read

AI tools can widen access to support, but the heart of healing still lies in being heard, held and understood in human connection.

Hands holding a smartphone displaying "ChatGPT" over a teal patterned table. Glasses lie beside, tattoos visible on wrists.

On the MRT home after a long day, someone pulls out their phone and opens an AI-powered app. A chatbot asks how they are feeling, tracks their stress levels and suggests a quick breathing exercise. It feels convenient, private and available at any hour.

For many in Singapore, where mental health stigma lingers and therapy can feel costly, such tools provide a low-barrier entry point to care. AI promises scale and efficiency in ways humans alone cannot. Yet questions remain. Can AI truly meet the deeper needs of vulnerability, trust and human connection that make therapy transformative?

The promise of AI in mental health

AI in mental health is no longer futuristic. Reviews highlight that generative AI tools can support education, provide symptom relief and extend access to underserved groups (Xian et al., 2024). Some studies note that AI-based programmes reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety for certain users.

In Singapore’s fast-paced culture, where seeking counselling may feel daunting, such tools offer immediacy. For young adults reluctant to tell their parents about therapy, or professionals worried about workplace image, an app feels like a discreet lifeline. Even for those already in therapy, AI can reinforce grounding or reframing techniques between sessions.

The great promise is accessibility. AI can reach thousands at a fraction of the cost of one therapy hour.

The risks and gaps

Despite these benefits, limitations are clear. Industry analysis warns that mental health chatbots may give misleading or harmful advice in moments of crisis. Stanford researchers also caution that AI can escalate risks when used without professional oversight (Stanford Human-Centred AI, 2025). Clinicians stress that chatbots cannot replicate human relationships in care and may exclude vulnerable groups if relied upon too heavily.

Another concern is the echo chamber effect. AI learns from the words users provide. Someone caught in self-critical thinking may find their language mirrored back rather than challenged. Instead of a new perspective, the interaction can reinforce isolation.

Crisis situations show the sharpest risk. Algorithms cannot reliably assess suicidal thoughts, self-harm or abuse disclosures. A generic response may increase distress. Without human discernment, the consequences can be severe.

The therapeutic impact of human presence

Being heard in therapy is not the same as being answered by a chatbot. Many clients describe the experience of being listened to without judgment as profoundly healing. For some, it is the first time their emotions are not dismissed or minimised.

However, being heard is only part of the process. A trauma-informed therapist also notices what is not said. Shifts in body language and changes in the tone or pace of breathing often signal distress. A client may say they are fine while their hands clench. The therapist can pause, offer grounding or check in gently. This shows the client that their cues are valid and can be met with care.

Therapy also allows for rupture and repair. No relationship is without tension. A therapist may misattune or move too quickly. When these moments are named and worked through, they offer a corrective experience. Vulnerability does not always lead to rejection. Trust can grow stronger after repair. AI cannot provide this.

Another dimension is how therapy expands tolerance for perspectives that differ from one’s own. AI often mirrors existing patterns, while a therapist can both affirm and challenge. This can feel uncomfortable, but within a safe relationship, it becomes growth. Over time, clients learn that disagreement does not erase connection.

Human presence adds a final layer of safety. Therapy unfolds not only in words but also in silence, tone and expression. Nervous systems regulate in connection. A calm presence can steady anxiety in ways no digital tool can mimic. Healing often begins not with advice but with the felt sense of being safe with another.

Cultural nuance in Singapore

In Singapore, cultural patterns make the relational role of therapy even more vital.

Clients frequently struggle with conflicts influenced by societal norms and values, such as desiring independence while feeling guilty about letting their parents down or not meeting expectations of filial piety.These are not surface stressors to be logged. They are relational knots that require careful exploration in a safe space.

Models like Schema Therapy help uncover patterns shaped in early family life. Internal Family Systems (IFS) allows hidden parts of the self to find voice. Both approaches need the witnessing presence of a therapist. AI can prompt reflection, but it cannot embody the compassionate other who helps untangle these conflicts.

Moving forward with balance

AI is not a miracle cure, nor is it a threat to therapy’s existence. Used thoughtfully, it can widen access, reduce stigma and support ongoing work. Yet it must be framed honestly. It is a complement, not a substitute.

The essence of therapy lies in vulnerability, trust and connection. Healing often begins when someone sits across from us, listens with care and helps us feel less alone. As Singapore pushes forward with digital solutions, remembering this truth may be the most important safeguard of all.

Restoring Peace is a private mental health centre offering counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and groups facing challenges such as trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and relational issues. Learn more at www.restoringpeace.com.sg or WhatsApp us at +65 8889 1848. For updates and resources, join our Telegram group: https://t.me/restoringpeace

References

Xian, X., Chang, A., Xiang, Y.-T., & Liu, M. T. (2024). Debate and dilemmas regarding generative AI in mental health care: Scoping review. Interactive Journal of Medical Research, 13, e53672. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11347908/
Wheeler, K. (2025, July 30). The mental health debate about AI as a support tool. AI Magazine. https://aimagazine.com/news/ai-chatbots-risk-mental-health-crisis-stanford-study-warns
Stanford Human-Centered AI. (2025, June 11). Exploring the dangers of AI in mental health care. https://hai.stanford.edu/news/exploring-the-dangers-of-ai-in-mental-health-care
Brown, J. E. H., & Halpern, J. (2021). AI chatbots cannot replace human interactions in the pursuit of more inclusive mental healthcare. SSM – Mental Health, 1, 100017. https://www.sciencedirect.com/article/pii/S2666560321000177
Hipgrave, L., Goldie, J., Dennis, S., & Coleman, A. (2025). Balancing risks and benefits: Clinicians’ perspectives on the use of generative AI chatbots in mental healthcare. Frontiers in Digital Health, 7, 1606291. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1606291/full

Keywords

AI mental health Singapore, counselling Singapore, psychotherapy Singapore, digital therapy support, AI therapy risks, CBT chatbot, Internal Family Systems Singapore, Schema Therapy Singapore, relational therapy Singapore, therapy vs AI, data privacy mental health Singapore, vulnerability in therapy, rupture and repair psychotherapy, echo chamber AI mental health, crisis situations AI, human connection healing, mental health technology Singapore