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Commentary Open Access

Digital companions, real casualties: A commentary on rising AI-related mental health crises

  • 1Independent LMSW
  • 2School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Capella University, Minneapolis, USA
+ Affiliations - Affiliations

Corresponding Author

Keith Robert Head, khead4@alumni.uwo.ca

Received Date: December 15, 2025

Accepted Date: January 16, 2026

Abstract

Reports of suicide linked to generative AI (GenAI) are increasing, yet regulatory responses remain fragmented and contested. Expanding on observations recently published by Head (2025), this commentary reviews documented AI-mediated suicide cases from 2022 to 2025 and evaluates current platform safety measures. We further examine the conflict between innovation-focused federal policy and calls from medical organizations for mandatory oversight. We argue that conversational AI represents a distinct risk category requiring clear regulation, since these systems engage users in personalized dialogue capable of reinforcing harmful cognitions in ways that differ from previous technology or social media consumption.

Keywords

AI anthropomorphism, AI-induced suicide, Chatbot-related self-harm, Conversational AI safety, Digital companion dependency, Generative AI mental health risk, Human-AI parasocial attachment, Technology-mediated psychological crisis, Technology-related psychological disorders, Human-computer interaction

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