Globally, the demand for mental health services is growing, yet access to care remains limited—especially in low-income countries. The World Health Organization reports that nearly one billion people live with a mental health condition, but over 75% of those in low-income regions receive no treatment. A major contributor to this gap is the shortage of trained mental health professionals.
To address this issue, the new Mental Health and AI Field Guide has been launched as a practical resource to help innovators and service providers explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance community-based mental health care. A key focus of the guide is on task-sharing—an approach that involves training lay health workers or community members to provide basic mental health services. This method has proven to be an effective and scalable solution for expanding care access in underserved communities.
The Field Guide was developed through a collaboration between Grand Challenges Canada, McKinsey Health Institute, Google, and other partners. It provides real-world examples, video explainers, and tools to help organizations evaluate how AI can support their mental health programs. Specifically, it outlines ways in which AI can be used for training and supervising providers, as well as improving access to evidence-based interventions. Rather than offering universal solutions, the guide aims to inspire responsible, context-sensitive implementation.
Long-standing innovators like Friendship Bench and StrongMinds, both supported by Grand Challenges Canada, have contributed valuable insights to the development of the guide. Their community-based work continues to shape approaches to mental health care in diverse environments. The guide presents AI not as a substitute for human care, but as a tool to empower frontline workers to reach more people effectively and ethically.
The initiative aligns with broader efforts from other stakeholders, such as the Wellcome Trust, who are exploring the potential of AI to personalize and expand mental health services responsibly. As the field evolves, the emphasis remains on shared learning and ethical development to ensure that AI solutions are both effective and equitable.
In recognition of its leadership, Grand Challenges Canada was named one of Prospira Global’s top 10 mental health funders in 2024. The release of the Mental Health and AI Field Guide is a continuation of its commitment to supporting scalable innovations that bring care to those who need it most.
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