#USA #Austin #Behavioral Health #Iris Telehealth #AI Mental Health

Nearly Half of Americans Embrace AI for Mental Health Triage

A recent survey conducted by Iris Telehealth highlights a surprising willingness among American consumers to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for the early detection of mental health issues. The 2025 AI Mental Health Emergencies Survey, which included responses from 1,000 individuals, aimed to uncover public sentiment regarding AI's role in identifying high-risk cases in the behavioral health sector.

According to the findings, nearly 50% of respondents expressed openness to AI-driven systems that monitor indicators such as facial expressions, voice tone, and typing patterns to facilitate quicker intervention. This information is particularly revelatory, especially in an age where privacy concerns are increasingly paramount.

The key message from Andy Flanagan, CEO of Iris Telehealth, underscores that while consumers are willing to embrace certain privacy trade-offs in exchange for faster care, they insist on retaining human oversight in critical decisions.

Highlights from the Survey Findings

1. Privacy Trade-offs: A significant 49% of participants seemed comfortable with the idea of AI monitoring for quicker detection of mental health risks, suggesting a shift in attitude toward technology in healthcare.
2. Need for Human Oversight: Despite the acceptance of AI in preliminary assessments, 73% of respondents believe that human clinicians should always make the ultimate decisions, with only 8% trusting AI for independent actions in emergencies.
3. AI as Alert Systems: By viewing AI primarily as a rapid alert mechanism, 21% of surveyed individuals recognize its potential to save lives. However, there remains caution, particularly related to concerns over false positives (30%) and technology potentially overshadowing vital human connections (23%).
4. Preference for Human Connection: The preferred responses when a crisis is identified include notifying a trusted friend or family member (28%) or receiving a call from a counselor within 30 minutes (27%).

Demographic Insights

The survey not only reflects a collective sentiment but also reveals significant differences across demographics. Noteworthy distinctions include:

• - Gender Differences: Men showed a higher propensity to accept AI screening (56% vs. 41% for women), while women are more likely to emphasize the necessity of human decision-making at 78%, compared to 68% for men.
• - Generational Insights: Approximately one-third of millennials and Gen Z respondents were