Generative AI Use for Mental Health Support: Patterns, Correlates, and Impact among Canadian Students

Abstract

Background. General purpose generative AI (GenAI) chatbots are increasingly used by students for mental health support. Research on prevalence estimates vary widely, rarely link use to validated clinical measures, and have not been reported in a Canadian student population. We estimated the prevalence trends, patterns, perceived impact, and correlates of GenAI use for mental health support among Canadian university students. Methods. We analysed one year (May 2025 to April 2026) repeated cross-sectional data from the Canadian arm of the WHO World Mental Health International College Student survey (WMH-ICS) The primary outcome was past-year prevalence of GenAI use for mental health support. Specific use purposes, perceived impact, reasons for non-use, and future use intent were also analysed. Factors associated with GenAI use were assessed using modified Poisson regression. As a sensitivity analysis, an elastic-net penalised regression model was fitted to assess the robustness of findings to an alternative modelling approach. Results. The past-year prevalence of GenAI chatbot use for mental health support was 25.2% (95% CI: 22.7 - 27.9), with a lifetime prevalence of 30.2%. Use was mostly occasional and predominately for seeking mental health information, stress management, and emotional support/companionship. Students of Asian ethnicity, those with higher clinical burden, recent adverse life experiences, weaker social support, and prior digital help-seeking behaviours were more likely to use GenAI for mental health purposes. Conversely, 2SLGBTQ+ students and those with romantic partners were less likely. Nearly three-quarters (74.2%) of users perceived such use to have a positive impact on their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Non-users reported preference for human interaction, distrust of GenAI in mental health (67.4% each), and privacy/security concerns (50.3%). Non-use also reflected principled objections to AI, including ethical and environmental concerns, with most non-users indicating no future use intention. Conclusions. GenAI chatbot use for mental health support has become commonplace among Canadian university students and is concentrated among those with greater mental health needs and fewer social support resources. Although most users perceived these tools as beneficial, their clinical effectiveness and safety remain uncertain. Rigorous prospective studies are needed to determine whether perceived benefits translate into improved mental health outcomes and whether purpose-built GenAI mental health interventions offer greater clinical benefit and safety than general-purpose chatbots.