The Rise of AI Companions and What it Means for Youth Mental Health

• By: Karen Manotas, MD University of Utah
• April 30th, 2026
• adolescent development, AI chatbots, AI companions, child psychiatry, digital mental health, emotional support technology, screen time, youth mental health
• 725    0

More and more young people are turning to AI for something we didn’t really anticipate a few years ago. Not just homework help. Not just curiosity. They’re using it to talk through problems, to vent, to ask questions they’re not ready or embarrassed to ask someone else. In some cases,...

Project TEACH Integrates Behavioral Health Care into Primary Care for Children and New Mothers

• By: Ann M. Sullivan, MD New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)
• October 1st, 2019
• behavioral health, child psychiatry, consultation services, maternal mental health, pediatric mental health, primary care providers, referral and linkage, training and education
• 1406    0

Parents seeking help or information about their child’s emotional or behavioral health often turn first to their pediatrician or their primary care provider (PCP). Unfortunately, family practice doctors often do not have the training needed to make decisions for children with mental health needs,...