One in three surveyed youth in Canada turn to AI for mental health support
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One in three of 395 young people surveyed by Canadian youth mental health organization Jack.org say they use generative artificial intelligence at least once a month for mental health-related support, while nearly half of those users have not told anyone about it, according to a report released on October 9, 2026.
The report, New Technology, Familiar Barriers, was released ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10. It is based on a national survey of young people connected to Jack.org, meaning the findings reflect the experiences of those respondents and should not be treated as representative of all Canadian youth.
Accessibility and a perceived freedom from judgment were among the reasons respondents gave for turning to AI when human support felt difficult to access. Seventy-eight per cent said they had encountered at least one barrier to mental health support, including cost, wait times and stigma.
Among respondents who use AI for mental health-related purposes, about three in five said they turn to the technology to navigate specific situations, particularly friendships, romantic relationships and family dynamics. Academic challenges and self-care strategies were also common uses.
The way young people use the technology varies. Forty-one per cent described it as an information tool similar to a search engine, while 18 per cent said they use it more like a journal to organize their thoughts. Another 11 per cent said the experience feels like talking to a real person who understands them.
The findings also raise questions about where general information and self-reflection end and professional mental health care begins.
Experts interviewed by Global News cautioned against treating generative AI as a substitute for professional care. Dr. Peter Selby, a physician and senior scientist at Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, said the tools cannot necessarily provide the clinical judgment and safeguards available from a trained professional.
Jack.org says the findings also point to persistent barriers to mental health support and is encouraging families, schools and communities to have more open conversations with young people about how they use AI, including its potential benefits, limitations and risks.
