With a quarter of people expected to experience a mental health issue within the next 12 months and one in seven experiencing a common mental health problem, like anxiety and depression at work, it’s clear there is a major issue around well-being. But what can be done to overcome this global challenge? Well, in recent years, technology has evolved at a rapid rate and AI is now at the forefront of innovation.

But with no end in sight of how powerful AI can really be, it’s imperative we use it for the right reasons – to help society change and grow in a positive direction. With the right guardrails, AI can be steered and designed to help with mental health challenges. In addition, technology tools like wearable devices can be augmented with apps and chat-bots that can also enhance mental well-being, not only in the workplace, but also at home.

Utilizing technology

In the past, watches, necklaces and glasses were all accessories that helped bring an outfit together. Fast forward a decade or two and they are now used to help improve our lives. Wearable devices have changed the way we monitor our health by giving us real time updates on things like our heart rate and sleeping patterns. These devices can be used to constantly monitor us throughout the day (and night) and can alert users to signs of stress, allowing technical interventions that can teach users how to limit the impact of life stressors.

Mobile phones, just like accessories, have also evolved drastically in recent years. Phones used to be devices that allowed us to contact others with a click of a button, no matter where we were in the world. Now, most mobile phones have apps in them that keep users entertained, help with daily tasks, and provide a wealth of information – simply, if there’s a problem in your life, there is most likely an app that can fix it. This also holds for mental health issues.  Mental health apps are an accessible way to help manage stress. Having a range of apps that focus on different issues can provide users with a personalize experience, allowing them to take control of their well-being. AI can be used to personalize mental health interventions even further and can provide assistance “just in time” when the help is needed.

Unlike the above devices discussed, AI hasn’t yet evolved to benefit users maximally. While AI has often been used to assist users, it’s only in recent years that it has become more powerful and can be used to do more. There are now tools on the market that can analyze user data and then provide insights into their mental health. These tools can detect patterns in a user’s mood, predicting issues before they arise in order to provide just in time interventions.

Limiting office burnout

Today, workers are constantly receiving communication from multiple channels, which has been heightened since Covid. With more people now working remotely, employees no longer rely on conventional ways to communicate via in-person meetings, emails and phone calls. Instead, multiple, new channels of communication have been introduced, such as instant messaging services, team communication channels, etc. As a result, this leads to interruptions throughout the day. Persistent multitasking can lead to a decrease in productivity and increase the risk of burnout. To prevent this, organizations can introduce technology tools to their employees that identify signs of stress so that they are more aware of their well-being at work. Once these tools “learn” the health and well-being patterns of an individual worker, it can then make personalize suggestions, such as taking short breaks. These interventions are for the employee’s personal use and the data of course needs to be kept confidential and private.

Looking beyond technology, it’s imperative that employers also create a supportive working environment, which often combats burnout. Organizations must ensure they have directors, managers, and other employees that appreciate workers’ achievements and contributions. This can be realized in the form of a reward scheme to celebrate workers’ accomplishments to a simple monthly appraisal meeting.

It should be noted that not all office environments are the same and some jobs can lead to more stress than others. Let’s look at red teamers for example – a security professional whose job it is to simulate cyberattacks in order to safeguard AI systems. A red teamer’s job can be regarded as intense because the worker often has to think like a criminal, which can have a psychological toll. The help of AI can change this and make the process easier for the red teamer by automating some or parts of the tasks. In turn, this should reduce the psychological burden so that these professionals can focus on other aspects of their job, which can take less of a toll on their mental health.

Away from the office

While the office is just one environment where mental health issues can occur, many also suffer at home. At the office, individuals can be limited to what solutions they are able to access, this can be because of funding or comfort. When at home, workers can personalize their mental health solutions even further, meaning they might be able to cater to their own needs even better.

For example, using the internet for therapy allows a person to connect with a therapist anywhere in the country, and even the world, from the comfort of their own home – they can get the support they need on a more regular basis. Understandably, not everyone feels comfortable talking to a human and for those people, AI-powered chatbots can also provide needed support.

Embracing technological advancements

It’s clear that mental health cases are growing but we now have the right tools to improve and monitor well-being. From wearable technology and mobile apps to AI-driven platforms, these tools provide support that couldn’t be accessed decades ago, helping individuals manage stress both at the office and at home. By embracing these advancements, we can create healthier, more supportive environments that promote mental well-being for all.

If you would like to learn more about this topic or any of the research discussed, please visit the Microsoft Research Human Understanding and Empathy website for more information: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/group/human-understanding-and-empathy/

Mary will also be keynote speaker at EAI‘s 18th International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare at Heraklion, Greece, which will focus on technologies and human factors related to the use of ubiquitous computing in healthcare and for well-being.

Mary Czerwinski