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Explained: Could AI be used to fill mental health backlog?

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 16 Jun 2025, 7:44pm
Photo / Getty
Photo / Getty

Explained: Could AI be used to fill mental health backlog?

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 16 Jun 2025, 7:44pm

Amid an ongoing shortage in professional therapists, Kiwis are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for help with their mental health issues.

Minister Matt Doocey has claimed up to 20 percent of New Zealand's unmet mental health needs could be solved using chatbot services like ChatGPT.

Clinical psychologist Jaqui Maguire says the technology is helpful in some cases - but it's unlikely it can completely fill the gap.

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