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A survey by Jack.org reveals that one in three young Canadians use generative AI tools at least once a month for mental health support. Among these users, nearly half have not disclosed their reliance on AI chatbots, with common uses including advice on social relationships and academic challenges. Michael Braithwaite of Jack.org emphasizes the need for open conversations about AI’s impact on youth, while Dr. Peter Selby cautions against using AI as a replacement for human therapy due to its lack of critical feedback capabilities.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
A new report by Canadian mental health network Jack.org reveals that one in three young Canadians use generative AI tools at least once a month for mental health support. Among the users, nearly half haven't disclosed their reliance on AI chatbots to anyone else. The survey found that three out of five young people use these tools specifically to navigate social relationships and academic challenges. Some respondents view AI as akin to a personal journal or a real person who understands them, with about 18% using it for processing thoughts. Overall, the study underscores how prevalent AI usage is becoming in addressing mental health issues among youth, despite concerns over potential biases introduced by these tools.
Written for “AI For Mental Health Stats Canada” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
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No political leaning scored for article 68919 · logged 2026-10-09
Young Canadians are leaning more on generative artificial intelligence tools for mental health support, a new report says.
asserted
report → lean → support
One in three young Canadians, say they regularly use generative AI tools at least once a month to try to support their mental health, a survey by Canadian mental health network Jack.org said on Friday.
asserted
survey → say → Friday
Among those who use these tools, nearly half say they have not shared their use of AI chatbots for mental health with anyone.
asserted
they → use → anyone
Three out of five said they use these tools to navigate specific situations, most commonly social relationships including friendships, romantic relationships, and family dynamics.
asserted
they → say → friendships
Many also use AI to seek advice on how to navigate academic challenges and learn self-care strategies.
asserted
Many → use → strategies
While most (41 per cent) they use AI like any other online tool, such as Google, around 18 per cent said they use it like a personal journal to process and organize their thoughts.
asserted
they → use → thoughts
For 11 per cent, it feels like “talking to a real person who understands me” while another 11 per cent said they are not sure how to describe the experience.
asserted
they → feel → experience
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“If we want to support young people, we need to understand how these tools are affecting them and have open conversations about it.
asserted
tools → get → it
We don’t want them to feel like they have to figure this all out alone,” Michael Braithwaite, president and CEO of Jack.org.
asserted
they → want → Jack.org
Generative AI tools and LLMs shouldn’t be used as a replacement for a human therapist, said Dr. Peter Selby, an addiction medicine physician and senior scientist at CAMH.
asserted
Selby → use → CAMH
“They (AI tools) are meant to keep people engaged and there’s nothing like sycophancy to keep somebody engaged in the conversation,” he said, adding that the tools are “not designed to push back” against a patient or challenge them to grow.
asserted
tools → mean → them
A 2025 Stanford University research paper found that in some cases, AI chatbots may introduce biases that could have potentially dangerous consequences.
uncertain
that → find → consequences
The American Psychological Association in June said 77 per cent of therapists said their patients use AI tools, in large part because these tools can feel more accessible and affordable.
asserted
tools → say → part
However, the group urged users to think “critically” about how they use AI and warned that using chatbots for therapy may be “unsafe” for some vulnerable users.
“For vulnerable individuals, using these tools for emotional support may be unsafe; for others, they may simply be counterproductive.
uncertain
they → urge → others
Research suggests the sycophantic nature of AI leads it to affirm behaviors that are unethical, illegal, or harmful—convincing users they are right and making them less likely to take corrective action, for example to repair relationships,” the APA said.
uncertain
APA → suggest → relationships
While using these tools for “knowledge and guidance” can be helpful, it should always accompany human connection, Selby added.
asserted
Selby → use → connection
“Discuss what you found with a human, a real human, a trusted human.
asserted
you → discuss → human
Whether it’s just your friends, your school counselor, your parents, speak about it.
asserted
it → ’ → it
Speak to your doctor about it and verify what you’re doing is legit,” he said.
asserted
he → speak → what
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