Global Chatbots for Mental Health & Therapy Market By Technology (Machine learning & Deep learning, Natural Language Processing, Others), By Component (Saas, Others), By Application (Conversational Interfaces, Behavioural Pattern Recognition, Others), By Region and Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends and Forecast 2024-2033

Report Overview

The Global Chatbots for Mental Health & Therapy Market size is expected to be worth around USD 2.2 Billion by 2033, from USD 1.3 Billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033.

A computer program that simulates human conversation with an end user is popularly known as chatbots. Modern chatbots increasingly use conversational AI techniques such as natural language processing to understand user question and automate responses to them. The rising awareness of mental health problems among people has resulted into an escalating demand for mental health services including chatbots.

Mental health chatbots are becoming more improvised by virtue of developments in artificial intelligence and natural language processing technology, allowing more intricate and context known interaction, encouraging market excellence. An vital role is played by therapy bots in quickly filling the gap left by absence of mental health services globally. Round the clock availability is being ensured by chatbots, providing better support to the users in need.

In addition to this, the other application of chatbots include delivery of evidence based intervention, provision of psychoeducation & valuable self help resources, tracking of treatment progress, and engagement in personalized conversation.

Global chatbots for mental health and therapy market is majorly driven by surging ultimatum for mental health services, significant investments in chatbots technology, rise of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and stress related disorders.

• In March 2021, Wysa Ltd which is a mental health app company secured a series A funding of around $5.6 million.
• According to World Health Organization, a leading cause of disability across the globe is depression, affecting approximately 265 million people in 2020.

Key Takeaways

• Based on technology, machine learning and deep learning segment captured a prominent market share of 58.7% dominating the market in the year 2023.
• Based on component, Soft-as-a-Service segment occupied a notable market revenue share of 74.3% owing to rising demand for mental healthcare services.
• Based on applications, conversational interface segment withheld a hefty market share of 63.7%.
• North America leads the global chatbots for mental health and therapy market, grabbing a remarkable market share of 41.6% in the year 2023.

Technology Analysis

Machine learning & deep learning occupied a notable market share

Based on technology, the chatbots for mental health & therapy market is broadly categorized into Machine learning & Deep learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP) and other segments. A laudable market share 58.7% is occupied by machine learning & deep learning segment, leading the market in 2023.

The segment further promises to sustain its position during the foreseeable days owing to the capabilities of machine learning and deep learning algorithms to diagnose the pattern of mental conditions that are able to determine the level of mental issue risk. The deployment of machine learning and deep learning segment is further accelerated due to rising demand for chatbots enabling monitoring of treatment plan and sessions combined with provision of effective therapies, thus propelling the market growth.

• Rosalind Picard of MIT and Paola Pedrelli of Massachusetts General Hospital believe that AI may make mental health services more available to patients.

Moreover, a significant growth during the forecast period is anticipated by natural language processing segment. The segmental growth is highly due to the capability of NLP technology to analyze texts enabling real world communication. Thus, more profound services are offered to individuals due to the creation of smart voice assistant system by this technology.

Component Analysis

Soft-as-a Service segment dominates the market in 2023

Based on component, the market is segmented into Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and other segments. A predominant market revenue share 74.3% is captured by Software-as-a-Service segment, dominating the global chatbots for mental health and therapy market in the year 2023. The segment being predominant is by virtue of widespread use of AI powered software solutions.

Mental health of patients is now benefitted by the software in chatbots offering subjective, objective,  assessment and plan for individuals to schedule the therapy session or to support the patients’ data. Management and channelizing of hefty databases for smooth services and solutions has become an important part as there is escalating number of users for chatbots.

• A self-help mental and behavioral health SaaS platform is launched by MindPeers that can specify the problem including anxiety, grief, loneliness, burnout via routines, procrastination, sleep disorder, productivity loss, etc
• According to Startup Bonsai report, around 87.2% of people reported having positive and neutral conversation with chatbots through various platforms.

Application Analysis

People prefer conversational interfaces in recent years

Based on application, the market is disjointed into Conversational Interfaces, Behavioral Pattern Recognition and other segments. Amongst all these, a dominating role is played by conversational interfaces segment accounting an impressive market share of 63.7% in the year 2023. Conversional agents mimics human behavior comprising a class of digital tools that employ artificial intelligence and machine learning.

This technology offers a task oriented framework with evolving dialogue that is able to participate in the conversation. Google Assistant operating in android devices and Siri running in apple devices are some of the examples of such tools. People are more attracted towards these evolving technologies as a real sense of talking to service providers is experienced by them. Thus, these advantages upscale the use of conversational interfaces, thereby bolstering the market place in recent years.

• American JAMA International Medicine Journal states, chatbots answer 195 randomly drawn patient questions on social media platforms.

Key market segments

By Technology

• Machine learning & Deep learning
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Others

By Component

• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
• Others

By Application

• Conversational Interfaces
• Behavioural Pattern Recognition
• Other

Market Drivers

Dearth of skilled professionals

Shortage of mental health professionals is robustly driving the global chatbots for mental health and therapy market in recent years. In addition to this, COVID 19 pandemic boosted the demand for chatbots assisting in improvisation of mental health, thereby avoiding clinic visits. The void created by the dearth of mental health professionals in healthcare sectors is filled up by availability of chatbots, vigorously driving the market to an unexpected pace.

• According to World Health Organization, there are 13 mental health professionals across the globe for every 100,000 individuals.
• According to World Health Organization, approximately 76 million new anxiety disorders and 53 million new cases of depression were caused during COVID 19 pandemic.

Rising demand for mental health services

An ultimatum for accessible and convenient mental health services scaled due to the provision of immediate mental health support as and when required. Traditional mental health services being time consuming are now replaced by new emerged chatbots technology. This technology can be operated through diverse digital platforms such as smartphones and web-based applications, enabling end users to carry out conversations from comfort of their homes. The rise is demand for mental health services, in turn increased investments for developing advanced chatbots purposing mental health and therapy.

• Wysa ltd in March 2021, closed a Series A funding of around $5.6 million rub by Boston’s V Health Ventures, pi Ventures, Kae Capital and the Google Assistant Investment Program. The company also raised a B Series funding of around $20 million to expand its business potential in July 2022.

Market Restraints

Emotional lack may hinder the market

Majority of times chatbots lack in complete understanding of human emotions and experiences due to limitations in technology, causing a notable hindrance towards market growth. Though chatbots are evolving in their conversational abilities still challenges arises in comprehending the complex nuances of mental health problems. Chatbots lack to replicate human empathy, intuition, and clinical judgement, resulting in struggle to identify subtle cues, appropriately interpret enigmatic statements, and provide accurate insights for intricate mental health issues.

The technology usually rely on algorithms and predefined responses to interact with users, leading to imprecise responses to complex emotional situations. Thus, the lack of real time emotional understanding and empathy may roadblock the effectiveness of chatbots, particularly in cases where individual need sensitive and personalized mental health intervention.

Opportunities

Accessibility and convenience of chatbots accelerates the market growth

The major market players operating in chatbots for mental health and therapy market are anticipated to gain immense growth opportunities during the forecast period. Primarily rising mental health recognition acceptance of such issues has led to an increased  demand for affordable and accessible mental health services. This proves beneficial for people especially in underserved regions lacking mental health services. The adoption of chatbots scaled due to increasing prevalence of mental health disorders across the globe, demanding more advanced chatbots technology.

Major market players are much involved into partnerships and collaborations with insurance providers and employers to incorporate chatbot-based mental health support into corporate wellness programs. Thus, this offers a reliable and cost effective alternative for employees to access mental health resources and support.

• According to Anthem Insurance Companies statistics, 52% of smartphone users and 93% of doctors believe mobile apps are most effective to communicate, thereby enhancing overall mental health.

Latest Trends

Personalization

Chatbots are developed to understand user preferences, emotional state, history thereby to tailor responses and interventions accordingly.

Emotional Intelligence

Chatbots are able to detect and respond to individuals’ emotional cues in a more effective way as advancements are made in natural language processing and sentiment analysis. This assists in identifying signs of distress to as to provide necessary support.

Impact of Macroeconomic factors

Inflation is one of the biggest factor influencing the demand for chatbots for mental health and therapy. The cost of such softwares is impacted resulting into higher cost of the products, leading to market hampering. The cost of research and development related to natural language processing and machine learning technologies is also affected due to inflationary pressures, slowing down the innovations in the field.

With the rise in expense of equipment, technology and personnel there rises overall healthcare spending, impacting the willingness of healthcare organizations and patients to invest in chatbots solutions. When cost of product gets hiked, it further passes onto consumer base, affecting the patients’ accessibility to mental health services, restricting them to utilize such high cost technologies, thus roadblocking the market growth.

Regional Analysis

North America is the Most Dominating Region in the Chatbots for Mental Health & Therapy Market

North America rules the global chatbots for mental health and therapy market capturing a praiseworthy market revnue share of 41.6% as compared to other considered geographies. The regions’ overburdened mental health care system is now made relaxed with the robust emergence of digital health initiatives including mental health chatbots.

There is often a dearth of mental health professional, necessitating the need for mental health services. The region is further leveraged with presence of major industry players, robust healthcare IT infrastructure, excessive use of AI/MI technologies, funding alternatives and a supportive regulatory ecosystem, leading to bolstering of market presence.

• According to national statistics of American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, there are only 10 child psychiatrists for every 100,000 adolescents, resulting in a shortage of mental health professionals.

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow significantly during the prophecy period owing to the shortage of mental health professionals. According to WHO, India has a severe shortage of psychologist and psychitrists relative to the number of people witnessing mental health issues. To overcome such drastic circumstances, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office have published a safer Chatbots Implementation Guide to offer advice on mitigating the dangers presented to children and other vulnerable groups.

Key Regions and Countries

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Netherland
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Rest of MEA

Key Players Analysis

Developing key players are concentrated on various strategies to develop their particular companies in foreign markets. Several Chatbots for Mental Health & Therapy market companies are concentrating on growing their R&D facilities and existing operations. Furthermore, businesses in the Chatbots for Mental Health & Therapy market are developing a portfolio and new product expansion strategies through mergers, investments, and acquisitions. In addition, numerous key players are now concentrating on different marketing strategies, such as increasing awareness about advanced features, which is expanding the growth of target products.

Chatbots for Mental Health & Therapy Market Prominent Players Are:

• Wysa Ltd
• Ginger
• Woebot Health
• Mindstrong Health
• Cognoa
• Lyra Health
• Marigold Health
• BioBeats
• MeQuilibrium
• Bark Technologies

Recent Developments

• In January 2023: Limbic Inc, announced its Limbic Access, a mental health assessment tool received medical device certification of class IIa UKCA. Limbic is the only AI mental health chatbot to receive the accolade for its security, risk management and clinical efficacy.
• In May 2023: NEDA Executives replaced hotline staff members organizing a union with Tessa, a chatbot. The Tessa chatbot have been active since February 2022. At the beginning of June 1^st, the helpline program will end, and Tessa will take over the primary NEDA support system.

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