Why AI Could Be The Next Frontier Of Mental Health Innovation

InnovationWhy AI Could Be The Next Frontier Of Mental Health InnovationByAyush Jain,Forbes Councils Member.for Forbes Technology CouncilCOUNCIL POSTExpertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author. | Membership (fee-based)May 29, 2026, 09:00am EDTAyush Jain, CEO & Founder, Mindbowser Inc. getty​Over 1 billion people globally are living with a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization. Yet, access to care still falls far short of demand. Mental health receives only about 2% of health budgets worldwide, and nearly 75% of people with mental health conditions do not receive treatment in many low-income countries.This goes beyond awareness and infrastructure. It reveals a more fundamental flaw in the organization and provision of mental health services.​Mental health is not something that happens in discrete periods. It is constantly changing, influenced by routines, surroundings and daily experiences. Care models, however, are still primarily based on recurring consultations during which patients are expected to summarize weeks' worth of behavioral and emotional changes in a single session.​I'm the CEO and founder of a healthcare technology company focused on building AI-powered digital health platforms, remote patient engagement systems and interoperable healthcare solutions. Over the years, I have worked closely with healthcare providers, digital therapeutics companies and mental health innovators to design systems that improve continuity of care, patient engagement and clinical decision-making.Through this work, I have seen firsthand how fragmented behavioral health workflows can create challenges for both patients and clinicians. What makes mental health particularly important is that progress often depends less on isolated clinical interactions and more on consistent day-to-day behavioral patterns. I believe AI creates an opportunity to bridge that gap by helping healt...