Digital Wellbeing on University Mental Health Day 2026
This year’s University Mental Health Day theme is ‘human connection’. So of course, we have to start with the (arguably?) opposite: Artificial Intelligence! AI-driven chatbots have become a popular mental health advice source amidst lack of other support and a growing sense of disconnection and loneliness.
AI and mental health
Mental health advice
The problem is many of the AIs people turn to do not have enough empirical evidence in their data sets, have not been tested rigorously and were not intended to give clinical advice. The American Psychological Association recommends staying clear of psychotherapeutic help from AI-powered tech and identifies a range of issues with their mental health support:
- Creating a false-sense of connection. While the relationship between patient and therapist is a crucial foundation for successful therapy. Although the chat suggests otherwise, AI-user relationships are “one-sided”, and therefore cannot emulate the same effect.
- Bias and misinformation can have harmful consequences when they result in false health advice. For more information on how bias and misinformation works in (generative) AI, see our AI Safety pages.
- Unreliable assessment of symptoms and solutions due to AI-chatbots limitations in understanding the users collective circumstances or non-verbal cues.
Other risks include unhealthy relationship building with AI companions, and as noted by Student Minds, serious risks like violence and suicide. Be aware that AI-driven mental health advice sources are not a direct substitute for human counselling or support.
AI use in academia
Further, in a recent webinar by Student Minds, specialist mental health mentor Tara J Murphy states that anxiety around using AI in academic contexts further creates mental health complications, with students going through plagiarism procedures due to their AI use or being unsure how to use AI in their studies due to insufficient guidance. On the other hand, Murphy also spoke to students who used AI-driven chatbots for non-judgmental advice on how to form human connections and expand their social skills.
Expand mental health support
We cannot forget that behind the questions of whether to use AI for mental health support or not, or what exactly to ask for in your prompt, stands the question of what people need that they cannot get otherwise. We need to look at the systems of care currently in place, and genuinely ask whether they are enough and fit for purpose. And when the answer is no, rather than only suggest individualistic options that leave the responsibility on the person in need, systems need to change and expand.
However, A.I. is not the only way technology can have an impact on our mental health. Below is a collection of issues and suggestions for centering your digital wellbeing.
Global crises
Wars, global warming, immigration raids… social media and news platforms are full of news that can make you feel drained, scared for yourself, family and friends and generally hopeless. Most advice will fall short of fully addressing the effects of experiencing global crises, so if nothing else, aim to connect with others and share the emotional and physical impact this has on you with people you trust. Also, aim to:
- Consume news in intentional intervals, rather than doom scrolling. Keeping informed is important, but do so in a pattern that works for you, incorporating breaks and accessing reputable sources.
- Seek connections with others affected or who you trust, like community groups, sports, societies, and staff networks.
- Reach out to people affected. Whether a friend experiences climate anxiety, or has family in war zones, showing some kindness can go a long way to make someone else feel not as alone. Similarly, if you are managing someone affected, consider that it is natural for work performance to change or breaks being needed.
- Get involved. While taking breaks is important, getting active in changemaking and good causes can make us feel less hopeless. There are many different organisations within the University and in wider Edinburgh/ Scotland or event internationally that would be very grateful for you to donate your time, knowledge, and experience.
Whether offering or seeking support, or getting active to make change, ‘human connection’ is once again at the heart of looking after your digital wellbeing.
Notifications
‘Notification fatigue’ has become a new buzzword in recent years. Reports vary, stating that smartphone users receive between 40 and over 100 notifications per day globally. The wish to stay informed (or in my case, be reminded of my Duolingo streak) is understandable; constant notifications cause information overload, the feeling we always need to be available and fear of missing out (FOMO).
Intentionality is key here – start with an audit of your apps over a specific period (like a day or a week):
- Which is your most used, and which is most useful?
- How do certain app notifications make you feel?
- How many notifications do you receive per app?
- Which notifications actually reminded or informed you in a meaningful way?
A radical culling of all app notifications may be the way for you, or maybe you can try this out for a week and see how you feel. Alternatively, use your audit results to identify a selective few apps to keep their notifications, and turn off all others. Find out what works for you – and perhaps remember the wisdom my dad used to impart on me while our landline rang during dinner: “a ringing phone does not automatically enforce being picked up” (badly translated from German).
For an in-depth analysis of the state of smartphone notifications, read the ‘Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025‘ by the Reuters Institute. Graphics on the notification frequency for some news apps can be found on page 42.
Digital detox
Having reflected AI and mental health, constant notifications of global crises and expectations to be available, we could do with a meaningful re-focus in our use of technology. Of course, I want to suggest signing up to the Digital Skills Programme’s Digital Detox workshops and completing the workbook.
Mental health support at the University
If you seek help for your mental health and digital wellbeing, below is a non-exhaustive list of support offered by University services:
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