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A look at the rise of free-to-use AI chatbots claiming to help with teens' mental health struggles, as experts disagree about whether the chatbots are effective (Matthew Perrone/Associated Press)
https://apnews.com/article/chatbots-me

New apps test AI chatbots to help mental health crisis
A growing number of AI chatbots are being pitched as a way to address the recent mental health crisis among teens and young adults. Free apps like Earkick can discuss complex emotional problems, offer guided meditation exercises and suggest ways for reframing negative thoughts. But experts disagree about whether these chatbots are delivering a mental health service or are simply a new form of self-help. It's a key question to the future of the industry, because apps that diagnose or treat menta…