Artificial intelligence in mental health research: new WHO study on applications and challenges
AI holds promise in supporting mental health services, especially considering the challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic:

• • In 2021, more than 150 million people in the WHO European Region were living with mental health conditions.

• • The pandemic has limited access to mental health services, while stress, adverse economic conditions, conflict, and violence have highlighted mental health vulnerabilities.

• • AI is bringing about a transformative shift in healthcare. It’s emerging as a valuable tool for planning mental health services, as well as for identifying and monitoring mental health issues in individuals and populations.

• • AI-driven tools can analyze digitized healthcare data, including electronic health records, medical images, and clinical notes, to automate tasks, support healthcare providers, and enhance the understanding of complex mental health disorders.

• • The WHO’s “Regional digital health action plan for the WHO European Region 2023–2030,” introduced in September 2022, acknowledges the importance of innovation in predictive analytics using big data and AI for better health outcomes.

• Dr. David Novillo-Ortiz, Regional Adviser on Data and Digital Health at WHO/Europe, emphasizes the need to assess the current application of AI in mental health research to understand trends, gaps, opportunities, and challenges.