By: Dunepost | April 12, 2025
In a world where men are often expected to be tough, a digital change is happening. New tools using artificial intelligence are making it easier for men to get help for their mental health. But, these tools also bring up big questions about fairness in healthcare.
The Silent Crisis in Men’s Mental Health
Men are less likely to get help for their mental health than women. Only about one-third of therapy patients are men, says the American Psychological Association. Sadly, men make up nearly 80% of suicides in the U.S., the CDC reports.
This gap between need and help has led to a big chance for AI to help, says Dr. Michael Thompson, a clinical psychologist and author of “Digital Healing,”.
“Traditional therapy asks men to be open in ways they’ve been taught to hide,” Thompson says. “AI Chabot’s offer a private and easy way to start.”
New mental health apps are changing how men get help. Apps like Mind Frame and Counselor.AI have seen a big increase in male users. This is a big change from the usual therapy numbers.
James Rivera, 34, a construction manager from Phoenix, is one of these users. “I’d never go to a therapist,” he says. “But talking to an AI that doesn’t judge me? That’s a game-changer.”
What makes these AI tools good for men includes:
- 24/7 availability that fits their busy lives
- Privacy that helps avoid shame
- Gradual introduction to feelings and words
- Absence of judgment that many men fear
A 2024 Stanford study showed men share more with AI therapists than human ones at first. This suggests AI could be a good start for men who are hesitant to seek help.
The Gender Gap in AI Design
Even with these positive steps, experts say AI tools often have the same biases as old ways of thinking. Dr. Leila Hartley, a digital ethics researcher at MIT, points out that most mental health ideas were made with mostly women in mind.
This means AI might not really get how men feel or seek help. This has led companies like Therapeutic Intelligence to make AI that understands men’s needs better.
Privacy Concerns: The Double-Edged Sword
For many men, the main reason to use AI therapy is because it’s private. But, this privacy also raises big questions about keeping data safe.
The mental health app world has faced big problems with data leaks. In February 2025, MindSpace Technologies was sued after user data was leaked. This could have exposed thousands of therapy talks.
“Talking about chatbot privacy means sharing very personal things,” says Vivian Chen, a digital privacy advocate at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. “Men who choose AI therapy for privacy might not know about the data risks.”
Right now, laws can’t keep up with these new tech changes. While HIPAA helps traditional healthcare, many AI therapy apps are in a gray area. This is because they were made outside the usual healthcare world.
Where AI Therapy Falls Short
AI therapy tools have made big strides, but they’re not perfect yet:
- Crisis intervention capabilities remain limited. Most platforms warn they can’t handle emergencies, which can be risky for users in crisis.
- Complex trauma processing requires human expertise. Dr. Robert Kaplan of Harvard Medical School says AI can spot patterns but can’t fully grasp trauma like a trained therapist can.
- Ethical AI counseling standards are evolving. There’s no one standard for mental health AI, so quality varies a lot.
- Data privacy concerns persist across the industry, with different levels of encryption and security.
Alex Williams, 41, an IT professional, tried several AI therapy platforms. He found their limits. “The AI was great for daily check-ins and basic coping strategies,” he says, “but when I started dealing with deeper childhood issues, I hit a wall. I eventually transitioned to a human therapist, which I probably wouldn’t have done without the AI experience first.”
Industry leaders are working to fix these issues. The Ethical AI Counseling Consortium, made up of experts, tech developers, and advocates, released standards in March 2025. These standards cover privacy, intervention limits, and oversight.
Technologies like federated learning, which lets AI learn without storing data, are promising. Hybrid models that mix AI monitoring with human oversight are also seen as a good way forward.
“The goal isn’t to replace human therapists,” says Dr. Thompson, “but to create a mental health ecosystem where AI and human providers work together, meeting men where they are and guiding them toward the support they need.”
As AI therapy tools improve, finding the right balance is key. This balance will decide if AI truly helps men’s mental health or if it creates more problems.
Experts say men should see AI therapy as just one part of their mental health plan. It can be helpful, but it’s not enough for all mental health needs.