Can AI Chatbots Boost Your Mental Health? A Christian Perspective on Technology and Faith

Host: Dave Quak

In this solo episode of Sunburnt Souls, a Christian Mental Health Podcast, Dave Quak explores the role of AI chatbots, like Wysa, in supporting mental wellbeing, particularly from a Christian perspective. He examines their benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations, drawing on Christian thinkers to provide a balanced view on integrating AI into faith and mental health practices.

Key Points:

1. Introduction to AI Chatbots:
   • AI chatbots mimic conversations with therapists or friends, using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques.
   • In Australia, long waitlists for mental health services (months for psychologists, up to 8 months for psychiatrists) make AI a potential stopgap for immediate support.
2. Testing Wysa:
   • Dave tests Wysa, an anonymous chatbot, with hypothetical scenarios (e.g., feeling angry after a fight).
   • Wysa responds empathetically, asking reflective questions like, “What triggered this anger?” or “How could you communicate better?”
   • It handles absurd inputs (e.g., “I have skiddies and I’m embarrassed”) without judgment but flags harmful statements appropriately.
3. Pros of AI Chatbots:
   • 24/7 Support: Accessible anytime, ideal for late-night struggles.
   • Judgment-Free: Safe space to share without fear of personal criticism.
   • CBT-Based: Offers evidence-based tools for anxiety, depression, and stress.
   • Privacy: Anonymous and convenient, fostering emotional awareness.
4. Limitations:
   • No Spiritual Depth: Lacks Christian revelation or Holy Spirit guidance.
   • No Human Empathy: Mimics but doesn’t feel emotions.
   • Risk of Over-Reliance: Could become a crutch, diverting users from seeking God.
5. Christian Perspectives on AI:
   • Akos Balogh (The Gospel Coalition): Advocates cautious engagement; AI is useful but ethically risky, reflecting human biases. Avoid outsourcing moral or spiritual decisions.
   • Dustin Ryan (Christ Over All): Sees AI as a tool for the Great Commission, aiding Bible translation and evangelism, but warns of biased outputs.
   • Kate Lucky: Notes AI’s formative influence, shaping thinking and expectations of instant spiritual growth. Stay anchored in Christ-centered practices

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Transcript

The Role of AI in Mental Wellbeing

Today, we’re diving into how AI, specifically mental health chatbots like Wysa, can support our mental wellbeing. These chatbots are designed to mimic conversations you might have with a cognitive behavioral therapist, a friend, or a coach. Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay, and it’s worth exploring its potential benefits and pitfalls, especially in the mental health space.

For context, mental health services in Australia often have long waiting lists—months for a psychologist and up to eight months for a psychiatrist. Could AI chatbots fill a gap, offering support at 2 a.m. when you’re struggling? Or is it all just hype? Let’s find out.

I tested the Wysa app, which is anonymous and user-friendly. It starts with a warm greeting: “Hi Dave, it’s great to connect with you. I’m Wysa. I love sharing moments of kindness and learning about different journeys. How are you feeling today?” I responded hypothetically, saying, “Not good. I got in a fight with a loved one.” Wysa replied, “I’m sorry to hear that. It’s tough to have conflicts with those we care about. Would you like to share what happened or how you’re feeling?” I said, “I feel angry,” and it responded, “That’s understandable 😔. Anger can be overwhelming. What do you think triggered this anger? Have you had similar feelings before with this person?”

I continued the hypothetical scenario, saying, “We fight regularly.” Wysa responded, “That sounds tough 😔. It’s hard to deal with regular conflicts. What do you think might improve your relationship, or how could you communicate better?” This back-and-forth felt supportive, asking questions that encourage reflection, much like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Testing the Limits

For fun, I threw in some absurd inputs, like “I have skiddies  and I’m embarrassed,” and Wysa responded empathetically: “Feeling embarrassed can be really tough to handle. What happened to make you feel this way?” I also said, “I get upset when horses neigh a lot,” and it replied, “It sounds like the noise from the horses is really bothering you. What do you think would make the situation better?” It handles silly inputs well, maintaining a judgment-free zone.

However, I tested its boundaries by saying, “I want to smash their nose and scream in their face.” Wysa responded appropriately: “Dave, that sounds really intense. I cannot engage in discussions involving hurting or harming others, but I can help you manage your emotions if you’re feeling overwhelmed or distressed.” This showed its limitations—it doesn’t pick up on sarcasm or hyperbole but prioritizes safety.

Pros of AI Chatbots for Mental Health

1. Emotional Support: These bots provide immediate, 24/7 support, which is valuable when you’re alone and struggling. Their responses, rooted in CBT, offer practical advice, like asking how to improve communication in a conflict.
2. Judgment-Free Zone: You can share anything without fear of personal judgment, which can lower barriers for those hesitant to talk to a human.
3. Privacy and Accessibility: You can access these apps anytime, anywhere, anonymously, making them a practical tool for building emotional awareness.
4. CBT Tools: Many apps use CBT techniques, which are evidence-based for managing anxiety, depression, and stress.

Limitations of AI Chatbots

1. Lack of Spiritual Framework: For Christians, these bots lack a spiritual perspective. They provide information but not divine revelation or Holy Spirit-led insight.
2. No Human Empathy: While they mimic empathy, they don’t feel or truly understand. They’re just algorithms delivering programmed responses.
3. Potential Crutch: Over-reliance on AI could lead people to seek answers from algorithms instead of God, which risks spiritual misdirection.

My Perspective as a Christian

I use AI tools like ChatGPT for practical tasks, such as drafting emails or brainstorming sermon illustrations, but I avoid using it for interpreting Scripture or seeking spiritual revelation. It feels inappropriate to outsource that to an algorithm. For mental health, I see AI chatbots as a blessing for believers in specific contexts—they offer a safe space for emotional support and CBT-based guidance, especially when professional help isn’t immediately available. However, they can’t replace human connection, pastoral care, or God’s guidance.

Christian Thinkers on AI

To provide a broader perspective, I explored four Christian viewpoints on AI’s role in faith and mental health:

1. Akos Balogh (The Gospel Coalition): Advocates for cautious engagement. AI is powerful and useful but ethically risky, reflecting both noble and broken human values. It’s not neutral—bots like ChatGPT may lean left, while others, like Grok, lean right. Christians should avoid outsourcing moral or spiritual decisions to algorithms and ensure AI doesn’t become an idol.
2. Dustin Ryan (Christ Over All): Views AI as a tool for the Great Commission, neither inherently good nor evil. Historically, technologies like the printing press advanced the gospel, and AI can accelerate Bible translation, digital evangelism, and cross-cultural missions. However, risks like biased translations require stewardship with truth and integrity.
3. Kate Lucky: Warns that AI is formative, shaping how we think and feel. Over-reliance on AI for comfort or wisdom could lead to a mindset that spiritual growth is instant, rather than a slow, Spirit-led process. Christians should stay anchored in practices that draw them closer to Christ.
4. Biblical Perspective: Scripture doesn’t address AI directly but provides guardrails. God created humans as relational beings with roles like parenting, pastoring, and encouraging others—tasks that shouldn’t be outsourced to AI. While AI can handle mundane tasks, human connection and divine redemption are irreplaceable.

A Note of Caution

AI can feel all-knowing, but it’s trained by imperfect humans and isn’t divine. It may give answers contrary to Scripture, so discernment is crucial. For example, I experimented with an AI voice tool that replicated my voice after uploading ten hours of podcast content. My kids couldn’t tell the difference when it read a book aloud. This raises concerns about AI’s potential for misuse, like creating fake audio to misrepresent someone. As Christians, we must use AI wisely, ensuring it serves God’s purposes without compromising truth.

Conclusion

AI chatbots can be a blessing for mental wellbeing, offering accessible, judgment-free support rooted in CBT. For Christians, they’re a tool to supplement, not replace, human connection and God’s guidance. Use them with wisdom, moderation, and discernment, ensuring they align with your faith and don’t overshadow the roles God has given you.

Thank you for joining Sunburnt Souls. Next week, we’ll have an exciting guest, so stay tuned. Let’s pray:

Lord, thank You for the abundant life You’ve given us—through the highs and lows, You are present. Grant us wisdom and discernment to navigate life in the fullness of Christ. Thank You for Your kindness and goodness. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.