Google Launches AI Initiatives to Expand Mental Health Access

Google launches two global initiatives to explore how AI can enhance access to mental health care and support the development of new treatments for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

Over half of all people will experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives, reports McKinsey Health Institute. However, a persistent shortage of mental health professionals means that millions may not receive the care they need.

“Existing services are already overwhelmed, with too few therapists per capita. Even if there were enough therapists, many people would still be unable to afford or access care, as mental health is often not considered an essential service,” says Andrea Campos, CEO and Founder, Yana, to MBN.

To address this gap, one of Google's initiatives includes a field guide designed to help mental health organizations responsibly integrate AI into their services. Developed in partnership with Grand Challenges Canada and the McKinsey Health Institute, the guide outlines practical frameworks, use cases, and ethical considerations for using AI to scale evidence-based mental health interventions. Specific applications include clinician training, personalized support delivery, workflow optimization, and improved data collection.

“The new Mental Health and AI Field Guide is a website-based resource to help innovators and service providers explore how AI can support mental health care,” says Grand Challenges Canada.

The second initiative focuses on advancing research into mental health treatment. In collaboration with Wellcome Trust, one of the world’s largest health research funders, Google for Health and Google DeepMind will support multi-year research projects to explore more precise, objective, and individualized assessments of anxiety, depression, and psychosis. The initiative will also investigate new therapeutic approaches, which could include the development of novel medications.

Both projects are designed to address the gap in access to mental health care, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of individuals with mental health conditions remain untreated. According to Google, AI could play a critical role in democratizing access to care and supporting professionals in delivering high-quality, evidence-based treatment.

Together, the initiatives represent a two-pronged strategy: immediate application of AI to support existing interventions and long-term investment in research that may lead to improved therapeutic options.