Survey: AI mental health users want confidentiality, non-users want referrals to professionals

Mental Health America surveyed people on using AI for emotional support between May 2025 and July 2026. 22% of frequent users want guarantees their chats stay private, 12% want assurance chats won't train models, and 15% want disclosure of emotional risks. Among non-users, 25% say AI should refer people to mental health professionals, and 19% want clear reminders they are talking to software.

• 22% of AI support users want their conversations kept private
• 12% want guarantees private chats won't be used to train models
• 25% of non-users say AI should refer people to professionals
• 19% of non-users want clear reminders they are talking to software