Lines blur between human care and artificial understanding: 'Dangerous'

It started as a simple question about sleep troubles, but before long, Margaret from Brisbane was sharing her deepest fears about ageing with ChatGPT. Like one in ten Australians, she'd discovered that artificial intelligence could offer instant, anonymous mental health support—no waiting lists, no Medicare gap fees, no judgment.

But as psychologists across the country are warning, this growing trend comes with serious risks that older Australians need to understand.

A recent University of Melbourne study found that Australians aged 16 and older are increasingly turning to AI platforms for mental health support, while research shows 32 per cent of individuals are now open to using AI-based therapy, though 68 per cent still prefer human therapists.

For many older Australians, the appeal is obvious. AI therapy is available 24/7, costs nothing, and eliminates the embarrassment some feel about seeking mental health support. But experts warn this convenience comes at a potentially dangerous price.

The hidden mental health crisis among older Australians

Men aged 85 years and older record the highest age-specific suicide rate of any group in Australia, making mental health support critically important for this demographic.

Yet with over 1 in 6 Australians now aged 65 and over, traditional mental health services are often overwhelmed, expensive, or difficult to access.

Clinical psychologist Katie Kjelsaas, who spoke to NewsWire about the trend, explains the core problem: 'AI platforms are accessible, immediate and anonymous—the ease and privacy of access may result in many people giving them a try as an alternative to therapy without fully considering the implications.'

Research has identified significant barriers to mental health access in Australia, including limited resources, system complexity, distance to services, and lack of awareness—issues that particularly affect older Australians who may live in rural areas or have limited mobility.

What's driving older Australians to AI therapy?

The numbers tell a concerning story. About 20 per cent of TikTok users have admitted to using AI for therapy, and the trend is spreading across age groups as people seek affordable alternatives to professional help.

Cost remains the biggest barrier. While Medicare's Better Access initiative provides up to 10 individual and 10 group allied mental health services each calendar year, health professionals set their own fees, meaning Medicare may only cover some of the cost.

For seniors on fixed incomes, gap fees can be prohibitive. A standard psychology session might cost $150-200, with Medicare rebating around $90-100, leaving significant out-of-pocket expenses.

The risks older adults face with AI therapy

Australian Association of Psychology president Sahra O'Doherty warns that AI bots are 'designed to summarise' or 'mirror' what users tell them, rather than providing 'correct or evidence-based information.'

The dangers are particularly acute for older adults who may:

• Have less digital literacy to recognise AI limitations
  
• Be more vulnerable to misinformation
  
• Face complex health conditions requiring professional assessment
  
• Experience medication interactions affecting mental health

'AI platforms may be able to offer general advice in some cases, but they cannot diagnose, formulate or personalise treatment the way a psychologist can,' Dr Kjelsaas warns.

Even OpenAI, which owns ChatGPT, acknowledges the limitations: 'ChatGPT is not a substitute for professional care and does not provide medical, psychiatric, or crisis intervention advice.'

Your Medicare mental health options

Many older Australians don't realise what mental health support they're entitled to under Medicare. The Better Access initiative gives Medicare rebates to help people access mental health professionals and care, regardless of where they live.

Medicare Mental Health Centres are also available as welcoming and non-judgmental places where you can access free mental health information, services and supports.

To access these services:

• Start with your GP who can assess your eligibility
  
• MBS benefits are available to people with diagnosed mental disorders, including conditions like depression and anxiety
  
• You can access both individual and group sessions
  
• Telehealth options are available for those with mobility or distance issues

When AI might actually help older adults

Early evidence suggests the opposite of critics' fears: seniors use chatbots as bridges to human interaction rather than replacements. Some positive applications include:

• Journaling and self-reflection between therapy sessions
  
• Personalised reminiscence therapy, where AI can trigger autobiographical memory circuits that dementia otherwise erodes
  
• Practising conversations before difficult family discussions
  
• Learning coping strategies when professional help isn't immediately available

The key is using AI as a supplement to, not replacement for, professional care.

The regulation gap that affects you

Unlike registered psychologists who are accountable under Australian law, AI platforms operate without mental health regulation.

While some studies suggest AI therapy chatbots delivered 64 per cent greater reduction in depression symptoms and AI models achieved 92 per cent accuracy in predicting suicide attempts, these results come from controlled research settings, not real-world use by vulnerable individuals.

Ms O'Doherty warns that AI bots frequently report 'inaccurate data and source information from all over the internet' without discerning whether sources are reliable.

Moving forward safely

As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, it may eventually play a valuable role in mental health support. But for now, older Australians should approach it with caution and clear boundaries.

Dr Kjelsaas hopes 'AI will become safer as the technology is refined, but for now I believe it poses a significant risk of harm to those who use it as an alternative to therapy.'

The solution isn't to avoid technology entirely, but to use it wisely while advocating for better access to professional mental health care.