Digital Health & Technology August 2026 12 min read
The Digital Confidant: Kenya's Youth Are Turning to AI for Mental Health Support, and We Are Not Ready
When a young Kenyan is struggling with anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts, their first instinct is no longer necessarily to call a friend or visit a counselor. Increasingly, they are opening a chat window. According to new data from PolicyBridge KE's National Youth Consultation, Artificial Intelligence tools like ChatGPT are now the second most common source of mental health support for young people, trailing only friends.