DOI: 10.31038/AWHC.2025821

Abstract

The global mental health crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions. With approximately one in eight individuals experiencing a mental disorder, this review assesses the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing mental health care, particularly in Malaysia, where stigma, accessibility issues, and resource shortages hinder traditional services. A systematic literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed and Scopus, focusing on studies published from 2022 to 2024. The review identified key AI applications, including chatbots and predictive analytics, which offer personalized and accessible mental health support. Results indicated that AI-driven solutions, exemplified by tools like “Chatbot Rakan Sihat,” significantly improve engagement and mental health outcomes for underserved populations. Ethical concerns regarding data privacy and algorithmic bias were highlighted as critical challenges in AI integration. The findings emphasize AI’s potential to reduce stigma and enhance service delivery in Malaysia’s mental health landscape. This review’s novelty lies in its focus on local implementation and ethical considerations, contributing to ongoing discourse on AI’s integration into mental health care. Future research should investigate the long-term effectiveness of AI interventions, user experiences, and collaborative efforts to establish regulatory frameworks that prioritize patient welfare while optimizing mental health care accessibility and effectiveness.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence, Mental health care, Chatbots, Predictive analytics, Ethical considerations in AI

Introduction

The global mental health crisis remains a pressing concern, with approximately one in eight people experiencing a mental disorder, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified this crisis, leading to increased psychological distress across various populations. In response, digital mental health solutions have emerged, aiming to improve access to care and support overall mental well-being. Notably, [1] conducted a retrospective analysis of the AI-driven mental health app Wysa, demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing users’ mental health needs during the pandemic. This review aims to assess the landscape of AI applications in mental health, addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies. The novelty of this review lies in its focus on AI’s potential to enhance service delivery in Malaysia, where traditional mental health care is hindered by stigma, accessibility issues, and resource shortages. Additionally, this review highlights the importance of ethical considerations surrounding AI use, such as data privacy and algorithmic bias. By evaluating existing literature, this review seeks to contribute to the ongoing discourse on integrating AI technologies into mental health care, ultimately fostering improved outcomes for diverse populations [2].

Methods

This review employed a systematic approach to evaluate the landscape of Artificial Intelligence applications in mental health care, particularly focusing on their implementation in Malaysia. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, targeting studies published from 2022 to 2024. Keywords included “AI in mental health,” “digital mental health solutions,” “chatbots,” “predictive analytics,” and “Malaysia.” Inclusion criteria focused on empirical studies, reviews, and case analyses that explored AI interventions’ effectiveness, accessibility, and ethical considerations. Selected articles were analyzed to extract key findings related to AI’s impact on mental health outcomes, user engagement, and integration challenges. The review also examined the ethical frameworks surrounding AI applications, considering issues of data privacy and algorithmic bias. By synthesizing this information, the review aims to contribute to the discourse on AI in mental health, identifying opportunities and challenges while emphasizing the need for responsible implementation.

Results and Findings

Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a transformative tool in mental health care, offering innovative and personalized solutions that can significantly enhance the delivery of mental wellness support. AI systems have proven effective at analyzing vast amounts of data, recognizing patterns, and providing insights that human practitioners may overlook. For instance, [3] examined AI-driven interventions, such as chatbots and predictive analytics, designed specifically to reduce suicidal tendencies among young individuals. Their study highlighted AI’s crucial role in raising mental health awareness and improving access to essential resources. In Malaysia, mental health disorders affect nearly 29% of the population (World Health Organization). Traditional mental health services face numerous challenges, including pervasive stigma, limited accessibility, and resource shortages. AI represents a promising avenue to address these barriers by enhancing service accessibility and personalizing care. [4] explored the potential of machine learning in creating adaptive mental health interventions tailored to individual needs, thus enhancing user engagement and promoting overall well-being. The applications of AI in mental health, particularly chatbots and virtual assistants, provide significant benefits. [5] discussed how chatbots improve mental health services by enhancing accessibility and providing personalized support. For instance, Malaysia’s “Chatbot Rakan Sihat” has been integrated into public health initiatives to raise awareness about mental health and provide timely assistance, especially to underserved populations. Virtual therapy platforms, as discussed by, leverage AI to enhance user engagement and improve emotional support processes. These platforms facilitate remote consultations and personalized interventions, making mental health services more flexible and accessible. Consequently, AI has the potential to optimize treatment outcomes by dynamically adjusting treatment plans based on real-time data. Predictive analytics is another essential AI application that utilizes vast datasets to identify individuals at risk of mental health disorders. [6] demonstrated how social media data can be analyzed to inform mental health interventions, enabling early detection of mental health issues. In Malaysia, predictive analytics could significantly improve screening processes, ensuring timely interventions for at-risk individuals. As AI continues to evolve, it holds immense potential to revolutionize mental health care, particularly in addressing accessibility, personalization, and treatment efficacy. However, the integration of AI in mental health care must be guided by ethical frameworks to prioritize patient safety, data security, and transparency. In Malaysia, AI helps mitigate mental health service shortages and reduces stigma by offering anonymous support [7]. [8] advocated for AI as a complementary tool, not a replacement for human therapists. Furthermore, the scalability and cost-effectiveness of AI-driven solutions can address long wait times and limited mental health resources. AI technologies are transforming mental health care by improving access, reducing costs, and providing timely support. For example, Malaysia’s “Chatbot Rakan Sihat” exemplifies how AI can reach underserved populations while overcoming barriers like stigma [9,10]. AI-driven platforms, such as iAssist, offer wellness solutions, particularly for elderly users, with integrated tools that enhance mental and physical health [10]. Additionally, AI reduces treatment costs by automating routine tasks, early detection of issues, and crisis prevention, thereby decreasing the need for intensive care [11]. However, ethical challenges, such as data privacy and algorithmic bias, must be addressed [2]. Human oversight remains crucial to ensure that AI enhances rather than replaces professional care. In sum, regulatory frameworks are necessary to ensure responsible AI use, necessitating collaboration among policymakers, mental health experts, and developers [12,13]. The findings highlight the significant impact AI can have on improving mental health care accessibility and delivery in Malaysia, while also emphasizing the need for ethical consideration and human oversight.

Discussion and Conclusion

This review underscores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing mental health care, particularly in Malaysia, where traditional services face significant barriers. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive evaluation of AI applications, such as chatbots and predictive analytics, that can increase accessibility and personalization in mental health interventions. As evidenced by the findings of [1] and [5], AI-driven solutions can significantly improve mental health outcomes by providing timely and tailored support to underserved populations. However, ethical considerations must be prioritized, including data privacy and algorithmic bias [2]. The implications of this study are profound; integrating AI into mental health services can reduce stigma, enhance service delivery, and ultimately improve the overall mental health landscape in Malaysia. Future research should focus on the long-term effectiveness of AI interventions, explore user experiences, and assess the ethical implications of AI technologies. Collaborative efforts among policymakers, mental health practitioners, and technology developers will be essential to create a regulatory framework that ensures responsible AI deployment, safeguarding patient welfare while optimizing mental health care accessibility and effectiveness [13,14].

Declaration of Competing Interest

None

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