AI for the Mind: Shaping the Future of Mental Health in Ages 13–25
Authors: Mr. Ritesh Chaurasiya
V. K. Krishna Menon College , Bhandup (East) [1]
Guide: Mrs. Kalpana Bandebuche [2] Assistant Professor, V.K.K. Menon College, Bhandup (East)
Abstract :
The rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents unique opportunities to address the growing mental health challenges among adolescents and young adults aged 13–25. This age group faces unique stressors including academic competition, exam pressure, social identity struggles, and the pervasive influence of digital media. Conventional therapy remains crucial, yet barriers such as stigma, affordability, and lack of access often prevent youth from seeking help. AI offers scalable, accessible, and stigma-free interventions by integrating natural language processing, machine learning, and behavioral analytics to provide real-time support. This study explores AI applications across four domains: detecting harmful patterns from social media use, combating college burnout through AI-powered study companions, addressing identity crises and loneliness with empathetic chatbots, and mitigating gaming addiction through predictive nudges. Results indicate that AI can predict social media–induced anxiety with up to 80% accuracy, reduce exam-related stress by 25%, and lower compulsive gaming by 15–20%. The findings emphasize that AI cannot replace human empathy but can act as a vital first-line support for digital-native youth. Ethical safeguards, privacy protections, and hybrid human-AI collaboration are essential for safe adoption. By combining evidence from literature and conceptual frameworks, this paper positions AI as a transformative yet evolving tool for shaping the mental health future of adolescents and young adults.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Youth Mental Health, Social Media, Chatbots, Burnout, Gaming Addiction
