Future of Care: Integrating AI for Mental Health and Addiction

By Taylor Ragano

My journey into mental health care began with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in my late teens, leading to five years of navigating in and out of psychiatric wards to find effective medications and support. Achieving a decade of stability was a significant milestone until a recent relapse necessitated hospitalization and residential treatment, highlighting ongoing challenges in care delivery.

During my recent hospitalization, I observed several significant issues in the emergency room and psych ward. In the emergency room, patients waiting for a bed were confined to rooms without TVs, cell phones, or internet, and often without anyone to talk to.Many had no one to talk to and expressed extreme boredom. Once in the psych ward, I noticed that very few patients knew anything about their diagnoses or medications—they often referred to their meds simply by color. Follow-up care was also problematic; I was referred to an outpatient program that didn't accept my insurance, which I only discovered after driving all the way there.

Imagine a groundbreaking AI program designed to address these challenges and enhance care in emergency rooms, psych wards, and rehab centers without relying on internet connectivity. Here's a glimpse of what this innovative solution offers:

• Customize patient support and interaction

• Provide crucial health information and resources.

• Foster patient engagement and well-being.

• Support ongoing care and recovery.

• Ensure reliable and secure access. Integrating AI into mental health care not only bridges policy insights with technological innovation but also promises to significantly improve patient outcomes. This initiative aims to advance AI research through competitions and collaborations, with a focus on advocating for policy changes supporting its global implementation in healthcare systems. This project aligns with my aspiration to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship, where I aim to explore how AI can revolutionize healthcare delivery worldwide. I envision partnering with diverse experts to not only develop this AI solution but also to advocate for systemic changes that foster its integration into healthcare policies. Stay tuned for updates on this transformative journey towards revolutionizing mental health and addiction care through groundbreaking AI solutions.