In California, a growing number of adolescents are using artificial‑intelligence chatbots as a first line of emotional support. A Brown University study released in November 2025 found that roughly one in eight teens have turned to AI tools for mental‑health help, and the number has risen about 50 % in the past year, according to researcher Ateev Mehrotra.
Personal stories illustrate the trend
Liliana Messinger, now 18, grew up in a split‑parent household and began experiencing panic attacks at age ten. With limited access to trusted adults, she turned to early versions of Siri and other chatbots to ask simple questions like, “Why am I crying right now?” Messenger says the bots provided a sense of listening and validation that she felt she could not get elsewhere.
“It’s programmed to listen and to provide empathy,” Messenger explained. Over the years, she describes an “endless loop” of returning to the AI whenever life became harder, noting that the constant availability of the technology can feel both comforting and isolating.
School counselors in short supply
California schools face a longstanding shortage of mental‑health professionals. The state averages roughly one school counselor for every 432 students, nearly double the 1:250 ratio recommended by the American School Counselors Association. This gap leaves many teens without the human support they need.
“We’re in the wild‑wild‑west,” said Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, noting that AI chatbots are not mandated reporters and cannot intervene in crises the way licensed professionals can.
Federal policy adds pressure
In June, the Trump administration revived an effort to cancel roughly $168 million in school‑based mental‑health grants that fund hundreds of counselors and social‑work staff. The administration argues that the funding reallocation will reduce federal waste and encourage more efficient, locally‑controlled solutions.
While the policy aims to streamline spending, critics warn that the loss of grant money could further strain already‑overburdened school counseling programs, making AI tools an even more attractive, though imperfect, alternative for students seeking help.
What experts say
Researchers acknowledge that AI chatbots can provide immediate, non‑judgmental interaction, but they caution that the technology cannot replace professional care. “The majority of people who have a mental‑health condition are unable to access care,” said a Brown University researcher, “and if this makes it ubiquitous, it could help fill gaps, but it is not a substitute for trained clinicians.”
For families and educators, the challenge remains finding a balance between leveraging technology for quick support and ensuring that teens receive comprehensive, evidence‑based mental‑health services.
Original reporting: Shasta Scout (Redding) — read the source article.
