2026-05-12 15:03:12

OpenAI has launched a new ChatGPT safety feature designed to alert trusted friends or family members when users appear to be experiencing a serious mental health crisis.

The opt-in feature, called Trusted Contacts, allows users to nominate someone who can be notified if the AI chatbot detects conversations linked to self-harm or suicide risk.

The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the impact artificial intelligence tools may have on vulnerable users, including concerns they could contribute to psychosis, mania or emotional distress.

OpenAI revealed last year that around 0.07 per cent of regular ChatGPT users showed signs of “mental health emergencies related to psychosis or mania”.

With roughly 900 million weekly active users, that would equate to more than half a million people.

The company also said 0.15 per cent of users, or around 1.3 million people, expressed risks related to self-harm or suicide.

Under the new system, ChatGPT’s automated safety monitoring tools identify potentially dangerous behaviour patterns or conversations. These interactions can then be reviewed by a specially trained safety team to determine whether a trusted contact should be alerted.

Arthur Evans, chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association, welcomed the feature.

He said: “Psychological science consistently shows that social connection is a powerful protective factor, especially during periods of emotional distress.

“Helping people identify a trusted person in advance, while preserving their choice and autonomy, can make it easier to reach out to real-world support when it matters most.”

Trusted Contacts builds on existing ChatGPT safety measures, including providing users with information about local crisis helplines when signs of emotional distress are detected.

Munmun De Choudhury, a professor of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech and member of the Expert Council on Well-Being and AI, said the update could help strengthen human support systems around AI users.

She said: “One of AI’s biggest promises is how it can foster authentic human-to-human connection and psychological safety.

“I am encouraged by ChatGPT’s Trusted Contacts feature, which offers a step forward to human empowerment, especially during moments of vulnerability.”

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