Grant: Project Gr. PA: Res. on Prevention/Response to Covid-19/Similar Future Pandemics
University of Manitoba
$0.00
Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Young People's Mental Health: A Co-Creation Approach to Public Health Education
FY 2025-26
Summary
In Canada, approximately 1.2 million young people (YP) are affected by mental health (MH) challenges, with many facing barriers in seeking and accessing care. Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools are increasingly being explored as innovative solutions to support YP's MH. Despite the ever-growing prevalence of AI-driven tools, there remains a critical gap in understanding how YP engage with these tools in their MH journeys. While AI should not be seen as a substitute for traditional MH support, this gap is concerning given the rapid and evolving nature of this technology (e.g., AI conversational agents) and its potential implications for MH care. The aim of this 4-year national project is to explore the experiences of Canadian YP's use of AI tools in their MH journeys, with attention to how these AI tools interrelate with more traditional MH supports. Central to achieving this aim is providing YP with a leadership role as researchers on the team. YP with diverse backgrounds across Canada, as well as key partners (e.g., MH and AI specialists), will be invited to participate in the study. YP will take part in interviews and create "journey maps" to visually illustrate their experiences using AI tools throughout their MH journeys. YP will engage key partners in a series of intentional discussions to co-create public health educational resources. Short term, this study will generate the first comprehensive understanding of how Canadian YP engage with AI tools, including AI conversational tools, in their MH journeys. Most importantly, this study will result in co-created public health educational resources and recommendations aimed at helping YP use AI tools in a safe and informed manner - should they choose to use them. Long-term, the educational resources will be evaluated and adapted to ensure they are effective and inclusive - supporting the informed use of AI by diverse groups of YP in their MH journeys across various settings and contexts.
Department
Program
Project Gr. PA: Res. on Prevention/Response to Covid-19/Similar Future Pandemics
Recipient
Location
Manitoba, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
CIHR Funding Decisions Database
As published
Id
554918
Name
Woodgate Roberta L
Region
Manitoba
Country
Canada
Orgtype
Institution Paid; Research Institution
Partnername
Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario)
Instname2
Population and Public Health
Theme2
Social / Cultural / Environmental / Population Health
Prcname2
Public, Community & Population Health 2
Projecttitle
Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Young People's Mental Health: A Co-Creation Approach to Public Health Education
Programtype2
Operating Grants
Orgnameinp2
University of Manitoba
Cihramount2
$0
Cihrequipment2
$0
Programname2
Project Gr. PA: Res. on Prevention/Response to Covid-19/Similar Future Pandemics
Keyworddelim
Artificial Intelligence; Arts-Based Methods; Deliberative Discussions; Integrated Knowledge Translation; Mental Health And Well-Being; Patient Engagement; Patient-Oriented Research; Public Health Education; Social Determinants; Young People
Abstract
In Canada, approximately 1.2 million young people (YP) are affected by mental health (MH) challenges, with many facing barriers in seeking and accessing care. Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools are increasingly being explored as innovative solutions to support YP's MH. Despite the ever-growing prevalence of AI-driven tools, there remains a critical gap in understanding how YP engage with these tools in their MH journeys. While AI should not be seen as a substitute for traditional MH support, this gap is concerning given the rapid and evolving nature of this technology (e.g., AI conversational agents) and its potential implications for MH care. The aim of this 4-year national project is to explore the experiences of Canadian YP's use of AI tools in their MH journeys, with attention to how these AI tools interrelate with more traditional MH supports. Central to achieving this aim is providing YP with a leadership role as researchers on the team. YP with diverse backgrounds across Canada, as well as key partners (e.g., MH and AI specialists), will be invited to participate in the study. YP will take part in interviews and create "journey maps" to visually illustrate their experiences using AI tools throughout their MH journeys. YP will engage key partners in a series of intentional discussions to co-create public health educational resources. Short term, this study will generate the first comprehensive understanding of how Canadian YP engage with AI tools, including AI conversational tools, in their MH journeys. Most importantly, this study will result in co-created public health educational resources and recommendations aimed at helping YP use AI tools in a safe and informed manner - should they choose to use them. Long-term, the educational resources will be evaluated and adapted to ensure they are effective and inclusive - supporting the informed use of AI by diverse groups of YP in their MH journeys across various settings and contexts.
Competitiondate
202509
Approvedterm2
1 yr 0 mth
Pinamesdelim
Woodgate, Roberta L
Approvedterm
1 an 0 mois
