Overview
Understanding and defining the role of AI in mental health is one of the most important challenges of our time. AI is already transforming mental health: how people seek help; how clinicians diagnose and treat patients; how young people navigate loneliness, anxiety and well-being; and how we interact online and in the physical world. While some of these changes may be beneficial, others may cause serious harm.
A research university with interdisciplinary depth is uniquely positioned to investigate rigorously, design responsibly and advocate for the people most affected. At the University of Michigan, our work spans the full landscape, from clinical diagnosis and patient care to understanding AI’s effects on behavior and social connection to designing AI guardrails.
However, what makes our work in this area truly distinctive is our commitment to the close engagement of our community; patients, families and students will not be afterthoughts; instead, they will be co-designers of solutions to problems that concern them the most. For example, students can build AI tools to address real-world problems, while community voices shape research priorities and governance. By putting the community at the center, we can develop and deploy AI to support mental health in ways that actually work, earn trust and serve the people who need them most.
AI & Mental Health Workshop
In April 2026, MIDAS hosted a planning workshop to build momentum and collaboration in this space. The workshop convened a multidisciplinary group from across the University, including the Eisenberg Family Depression Center, University Health & Counseling, School of Information, School of Public Health, School of Social Work and many other research centers and departments, along with partners such as the Parent and Family Leadership Council. Following the workshop, initial work has started to organize a student hackathon to design AI tools to support mental health and to engage community organizations to surface research priorities.
Save the Date: AI & Mental Health Symposium
MIDAS and campus partners will host an AI & Mental Health Symposium on October 5, 2026, bringing together researchers, practitioners and community members to further advance this work and set the agenda for the field.
Get Involved
Contact [email protected], if you or your organization would like to collaborate with our researchers and research organizations.