TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2026 | One in three young Canadians in a new Jack.org survey say they use generative AI tools at least once a month to support their mental health, and nearly half of those users have told no one, Global News reports. Jack.org, a Canadian youth mental health organization, released the findings Friday, Oct. 9.
The report, titled “New Technology, Familiar Barriers,” is based on a self-reported survey of 395 young people connected to Jack.org, according to Let’s Data Science’s summary of the release. It is not a clinical evaluation or a population-wide estimate, so the figures describe this group rather than all young Canadians. The same summary says 78% of respondents reported at least one barrier to getting mental health support, such as cost, wait times or stigma, and that respondents described the tools as “accessible and less judgmental” when talking to another person felt difficult.
How Young People Say They Use the Tools
Three in five users turn to AI for specific situations, most often social relationships, including friendships, romantic relationships and family dynamics. Others use it for academic challenges and to learn self-care strategies, according to Global News.
Users see the tools in different ways. About 41% treat them like any other online tool, such as a search engine, and about 18% use them as a personal journal to process and organize their thoughts. Another 11% say it feels like “talking to a real person who understands me,” and 11% are not sure how to describe it. Michael Braithwaite, Jack.org’s president and CEO, said, “we need to understand how these tools are affecting them,” and called for open conversations about the issue. Jack.org’s release calls for mental health education and supportive relationships to keep pace with emerging technology.
What Clinicians and Researchers Caution
Dr. Peter Selby, an addiction medicine physician and senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), told Global News that generative AI and large language models should not replace a human therapist. He said the tools are built to keep people engaged and are “not designed to push back” against users. He advised people to discuss what they learn from AI with a trusted human and to check with their doctor.
The American Psychological Association reported in June that 77% of therapists say their patients use AI tools, often because the tools seem more accessible and affordable. The APA urged users to think critically, warned that AI therapy may be unsafe for vulnerable people, and said sycophantic AI can affirm harmful behavior. A 2025 Stanford University research paper found that AI chatbots may introduce biases with potentially dangerous consequences in some cases. The Jack.org survey did not test whether general-purpose AI tools are clinically effective or safe, or whether they can replace professional care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many young Canadians use AI for mental health support?
In a Jack.org survey of 395 young people connected to the organization, one in three said they use generative AI at least monthly to support their mental health. The sample is not representative of all young Canadians.
Why do experts caution against using AI chatbots as a therapist?
CAMH’s Dr. Peter Selby says the tools are built to keep people engaged and are not designed to push back on users, so they should not replace a human therapist. He advises discussing anything learned from AI with a trusted person or a doctor.