AI companions and emotional wellbeing stories

Oct 28, 2026

Nearly half of distressed Israeli adults use AI chatbots for mental health support, Tel-Hai University study finds

A Tel-Hai University study found that almost one in three Israeli adults using generative AI tools seek emotional support or mental health assistance from platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini, with that figure rising to nearly one in two among users experiencing severe psychological distress.

Oct 28, 20263 sources

Top claims

▪Findings from the 2025 OxWell Student Survey indicated that 92.1% of English adolescents using AI for mental health support also accessed other support, while 16.5% received no offline mental health assistance.
▪A JED Foundation survey found that young people using AI chatbots during emotional distress were more likely to report poor mental health outcomes and a history of suicidal thoughts or attempts.
▪A JED Foundation survey of 5,500 U.S. students aged 9 to 17 found that 90% have used an AI chatbot, with nearly two-thirds using them both for schoolwork and as companions or when feeling stressed, lonely, or anxious.

Subtopics

AI and society1 AI applications1 AI assistants & chatbots1 Generative AI1 Mental health1 Mental Health & Wellbeing1 Youth mental health1

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