Doctor Goiana da Silva: "When a quarter of young people admit to having already used AI for psychological support, this should worry us"
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Doctor Goiana da Silva: "When a quarter of young people admit to having already used AI for psychological support, this should worry us"

SIC Notícias8 September 2026 at 12:32

Doctor and SIC commentator Goiana da Silva analyzed on the "X-Ray" program the current situation of mental health in Portugal, focusing particularly on the long waiting times in the NHS for psychology and psychiatry appointments.

The commentary also addressed the growing trend of young people and children using artificial intelligence platforms to obtain psychological counseling, a reality that is partially replacing the search for traditional mental health professionals.

A concerning figure was highlighted: approximately a quarter of young people admit to having already used artificial intelligence for psychological support, revealing the extent of this behavioral change.

According to the doctor, this reality should represent a warning sign, suggesting that recourse to AI for mental health issues may not be the most appropriate solution for these age groups.

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