S2E10: Using AI to Improve Access to Mental Health Care Services

Brian J Matos

As the need for mental health care services continues to rise across the world, access to the system of care continues to be a major challenge. A shortage of mental health care providers combined with confusion about how to seek help in a complex, often siloed care system has led to needless suffering for individuals and families. Ben Carrington, a cancer biologist turned entrepreneur, joins Brian for a converation about the use of artificial intelligence in expanding access to mental health care services. Ben discusses his journey into the field of digital health and his work at Limbic AI, a company that builds clinical AI "front-door" solutions for mental health conditions. Limbic's mission is to make mental health care available to everyone everywhere. Their solution is an intake and assessment support tool, a chatbot that helps individuals refer themselves to mental health services. The tool also provides clinical decision support to clinicians, helping them make more informed triaging decisions.

Carrington highlights the challenges in the mental health care system, such as the lack of therapists and barriers to access, and discusses the importance of personalized and secure AI in improving patient outcomes. Ben and Brian discuss the unique challenges of building and growing a dynamic team that brings together clinical experts with leading technologists and cutting edge AI developers. The team at Limbic have implemented cross-functional knowledge sharing sessions and have established fundamental processes to unify these vastly different disciplines. While AI can provide diagnostic information and support in triaging, the team believes that the delivery of mental health care will always require the clinical judgment and reasoning of a clinician.

As the demand for mental health care increases, Limbic is seeing more adoption and acceptance of digital tools in the healthcare system. They are also investing in localization to address cultural barriers and ensure that their services are accessible to different communities. The team believes that AI can play a role in the treatment plan, but it will always require clinical supervision and the involvement of clinicians. They are optimistic about the future of mental health care and the potential for digital health technologies to meet the increasing demand.

To learn more about Ben Carrington and Limbic AI:

• Website: https://limbic.ai/
• X: @Limbic_ai
• Company Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/limbic-ai/mycompany/
• Ben's Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carrington/

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