Mental health challenges are taking a growing toll on people worldwide, highlighting a major gap in access to timely and affordable support. This is where AI is stepping in, helping bridge that gap by offering early, accessible, and private mental health assistance.
At the forefront is Jo Aggarwal, co-founder and CEO of Wysa, the world’s leading conversational AI platform for mental health, backed by multiple clinical studies and recognised for its privacy and safety by the Mozilla Foundation and ORCHA.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Jo emphasised about her mental health app, AI bridging these gaps, and more.
What inspired you to create Wysa, and what gap in mental healthcare were you aiming to address?
Wysa came from a very personal place. During a difficult period in my own life, I experienced depression and discovered two things: first, how hard it is to get help, and second, how powerful techniques like CBT can be when they are accessible at the right moment. What struck me was that millions of people never reach that support because of stigma, cost, long waitlists, or simply not knowing where to start.
We created Wysa as a safe, private first step, especially for those who may not be ready for or able to access a therapist. Many people find it easier to reach out anonymously during moments of distress, even late at night. The aim is to bridge the gap between feeling overwhelmed and getting help, making mental health support available instantly, without judgement or barriers.
Mental health services remain inaccessible for many people due to cost, stigma and a shortage of professionals. How can AI help bridge these gaps?
AI is uniquely positioned to expand access to mental health support because it can provide immediate, scalable support without adding pressure to already stretched healthcare systems. Today, many people wait weeks or months for care, while others never seek help because they fear being judged. AI can help remove both of those barriers.
What we consistently hear from users is that anonymity matters, as people often feel more comfortable sharing difficult thoughts with AI without fear of judgment or stigma. AI’s 24/7 availability also helps, since mental health challenges don’t follow fixed hours.
However, it is not a substitute for clinical care. Its main role is in prevention, early support, and building everyday resilience, while helping guide those in need of professional help to the right services.
In your view, what has been the most significant impact of conversational AI on mental health support over the past few years?
The most significant impact has been normalising help-seeking behaviour. For decades, mental healthcare has been constrained by supply and by the social stigma attached to asking for help. Conversational AI has created a new category of support that feels accessible, immediate, and low-pressure. We've seen millions of people engage in conversations about their mental wellbeing who might never have booked a therapy session.
That first interaction is crucial, as it makes mental health support more proactive rather than something sought only in crisis. Another key shift is accessibility in real time, whether it’s anxiety at 4 am, stress before an interview, or loneliness on a Sunday evening. Conversational AI brings support into everyday moments instead of limiting it to scheduled therapy sessions.
Do you see AI as a substitute for mental health professionals or as a tool that complements their work?
I see AI as complementary, not competitive. The reality is that there are far more people who need support than there are professionals available to provide it. Therapists bring human judgement and lived experience which are incredibly valuable and not something technology should attempt to replace. AI can support people between therapy sessions by helping them practise coping skills, track progress, and access immediate support during difficult moments. It can bridge gaps before, during, and after therapy, while also reducing administrative load and improving engagement. Used effectively, it allows clinicians to focus more on complex care, while ensuring people receive timely and continuous support.
As AI becomes more sophisticated, what ethical challenges in the mental health space concern you most, and how should the industry address them?
The biggest concerns are safety, privacy, transparency, and accountability. When people are discussing their mental health, they are often at their most vulnerable, so the standards for safety should be exceptionally high. But importantly, this isn't just a question for companies building mental health AI. We know that people are increasingly turning to general-purpose AI tools for emotional support, life advice, and conversations about their wellbeing, regardless of what those systems were originally designed for.
That means regulation should go beyond a narrow category of “mental health AI” and focus on AI responsibility more broadly. Human attention and trust are valuable, so systems should be designed to help users rather than simply maximise engagement.
Users should clearly understand how AI works, its limitations, and how their data is used. It is also essential that systems respond safely in high-risk situations and provide clear routes to human support when needed.