SynthesisJMIR mental health2026
Generative AI in Youth Mental Health Apps: Rapid Review.
Synthesis in JMIR mental health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMental health apps are frequently used as platforms for delivering digital health interventions to young people. New technology such as generative AI enables a wider range of engaging and more personalized features that can be included in mental health apps. However, there is limited insight into the opportunities for integrating generative AI into such apps.
objectiveThis rapid review aimed to provide a systematic overview of the possibilities of integrating generative AI into mental health apps for young people. Furthermore, the review aimed to report potential benefits and disadvantages of the integration of generative AI into such apps.
methodsA systematic search was conducted in 4 databases (PsycInfo, Embase, MEDLINE, and CINAHL) in November 2025 to identify studies that evaluated mental health apps with integrated generative AI. Eligible studies included primary research published between 2022 and 2025, involving a sample of young people aged 11 to 24 years, and written in either English or a Scandinavian language.
resultsA total of 5 articles were included in the review. The most common method of integrating generative AI into mental health apps for young people was through chatbots. Overall, young people rated the apps as having good usability and quality. Some studies also provided data on effectiveness, showing promising results for outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and distress. None of the studies systematically assessed harmful effects using standardized methods, nor did they report any adverse outcomes related to mental health.
conclusionsYoung people are generally positive about apps that include generative AI. There is some evidence suggesting that such tools may contribute to a preventive or health-promoting effect on young people's mental health. However, the existing research is limited and characterized by methodological constraints. The lack of reported adverse mental health outcomes might reflect a lack of investigation rather than evidence of no harm. Further research should explore the potential short- and long-term effects of integrating generative AI into mental health apps for young people, as well as systematically mapping possible adverse events.
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What Socratic holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.