Q&A: How AI can expand mental health support beyond the clinic
Some of the earliest opportunities to prevent a mental health crisis may come outside of a therapist's office. They may happen at a divorce attorney's desk, in a bankruptcy hearing or at a self-storage counter—anywhere people may be navigating a major life disruption.
Mental health crises often arise suddenly, and sometimes the most effective support comes from unexpected places. Associate Professor John Blosnich of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work suggests that nonclinical settings, such as divorce attorneys' offices, bankruptcy hearings, and self-storage facilities, could be valuable venues for connecting people with mental health resources before a crisis escalates.
Blosnich, interim co-director of the USC Center for AI in Society, leverages AI, large-scale public health data, and community partnerships to study suicide risk, health disparities, and the social factors that influence well-being. By identifying "industries of disruption" where people encounter major life changes, these nonclinical settings may offer opportunities to recognize mental health risks early and provide timely assistance.
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