At our May 29th, 2074 meeting, Patrick Belliveau (club member) discussed the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its application in understanding and addressing mental health issues. He highlighted the collaboration with Ellyn’s book, “Ask Ellyn,” which deals with emotional support for individuals recently diagnosed with a condition. AI was used to translate and spread the book to ten countries, helping users work through their emotions.

Belliveau emphasized that AI can provide practical support by understanding the context and providing age-appropriate explanations. He also noted the importance of AI in early intervention for serious issues like childhood suicidal tendencies, stressing that these problems develop over time and need proactive attention.

AI’s potential to change perspectives was underlined, although it is not a substitute for professional psychological advice. Instead, it serves as a tool to assess risk and offer support. Belliveau expressed excitement about future projects, particularly in collaboration with Kiwanis, aiming to use AI to improve mental health outcomes.

In summary, AI, through applications like “Ask Ellyn,” offers a new way to support mental health by providing personalized, context-aware assistance while acknowledging its limitations in giving medical advice or diagnoses. (Thanks to Patrick for the summary).