Design Proposal for a Chatbot with Mental Support Functionalities Based on Artificial Intelligence

Mental health, an essential component of overall well-being, faces persistent challenges globally. Despite its crucial importance, adequate care remains elusive due to various barriers. Among these, the lack of access to mental health services, the associated social stigma, and the lack of trained professionals stand out. These barriers create significant gaps in providing quality services, leaving many needing more support. Artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a powerful tool to address these challenges in the current era, characterized by increasing interconnectedness and technological advancements. Chatbots, powered by AI, represent an innovation that offers virtual care in an accessible and personalized way. Available 24/7, these chatbots can adapt to users' needs, marking a promising global solution to improve mental health care. This research project focuses on developing a virtual assistance prototype based on artificial intelligence, specifically a chatbot. The main objective is to provide effective and personalized support, overcoming accessibility limitations and guaranteeing user privacy. The integration of artificial intelligence seeks to create a tool that not only offers a high-quality treatment experience but also dynamically adapts to the individual needs of each user. The research will cover various crucial aspects, from technological considerations to ethical aspects, social acceptance, and evaluation of treatment effectiveness. The integration of artificial intelligence is perceived as a significant contribution to the health sector, establishing an interdisciplinary effort that fuses computer science, psychology, ethics, and technology to address critical issues in the field of mental health.