Written by Angela Bates
Having worked with problematic adolescents for more than 20 years, I can attest to the fact that Pennsylvania’s youth mental health epidemic is only growing worse. In terms of the welfare of children, our Commonwealth ranks twenty-first, according to Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.Additionally, it’s clear that established services are overburdened by the rise in mental health requirements, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. There must be another way to support our young people, their families, and our communities as a whole.
We can use technology to help us manage our stress. One of my favorite things about my Apple Watch, for example, is that it lets me know when I need to relax so that my heart rate doesn’t spike and I can take a moment to catch my breath and concentrate.
Before responding emotionally and physically to stressful events, our young people require those same minutes to gather themselves. According to what I’ve observed, historical and environmental trauma frequently prevents today’s youngsters from having this opportunity. Aggressive actions and increased emotional reactions may result from this lack of pause.
In my opinion, technologies like artificial intelligence, or AI, could be quite important for keeping an eye on these circumstances. Child and Youth Services (CYS), for example, may benefit from monitoring heart rates and ambient variables, such as the volume of discussions. This information may be used to detect verbal abuse and make our children’s surroundings safer.
AI may also help identify physical indicators of abuse, including bruises or broken bones, so that these problems can be quickly resolved. Our approach to mental health can be made more responsive and supportive by incorporating technology.
AI provides a solution to the early intervention issue. By examining their medical records, it is already being used to spot early indicators of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in kids. Predictive analysis of this type is essential, especially for young people from underrepresented groups who experience mental health issues at disproportionate rates. Before their illnesses worsen, AI can assist in identifying these at-risk students, enabling earlier intervention and better results.
By reducing their administrative workload, AI can also help overburdened mental health practitioners. Clinicians can spend less time on paperwork if they use tools that automatically record and evaluate therapy sessions. By freeing up experts to concentrate on their patients rather than paperwork, this time-saving technology has the potential to greatly enhance the quality of care.
AI has significant potential for use in mental health education in addition to treatment. Here in Pennsylvania, researchers are harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to create digital resources that provide kids with interesting and approachable mental health education. For instance, researchers at Carnegie Melon are creating digital vaccines driven by AI to promote good habits in children.
Pennsylvania must likewise handle this cutting-edge technology carefully if it hopes to see success with AI technologies. The human element required for good mental health support cannot be replaced by AI, but the technology can be used in conjunction with it. In a similar vein, we must ensure that AI technologies are carefully developed and applied as this research progresses. In addition to addressing ethical issues like data privacy and the possibility of biased algorithms, it’s critical to make sure AI technologies are inclusive, culturally aware, and devoid of prejudices that can endanger disadvantaged groups.
AI holds promise as a remedy for Pennsylvania’s escalating youth mental health issue. The state can start to bridge the gap between the number of children in need of assistance and the services that are available to them by utilizing AI to increase access to care, enhance early diagnosis, and reduce the workload of mental health experts.
Living in Harrisburg, Angela Bates is an advocate for youth and the community.
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