The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into mental health practice presents both unprecedented opportunities and substantial challenges for contemporary care systems. This discursive review critically examines how AI-enabled tools intersect with the interpersonal foundations of psychotherapy, with particular attention to empathy, therapeutic alliance, and relational dynamics. Drawing on socio-technical theory, psychotherapeutic research, and emerging literature in affective computing and neurotechnology, the review develops a conceptual framework positioning AI as an augmentative, not substitutive partner in mental health care. While AI demonstrates clear strengths in enhancing accessibility, reducing administrative burden, supporting structured interventions, and improving monitoring through data-driven insights, these advantages are counterbalanced by significant concerns. Limitations in genuine empathic capacity, risks to transference and therapeutic authenticity, potential erosion of clinician skills, and ethical tensions related to privacy, accountability, algorithmic bias, and emotional deception underscore the complexity of integrating AI into relationally grounded practices. Differential impacts across therapeutic modalities and clinical conditions reveal that structured, skills-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioral approaches benefit most from AI augmentation, whereas humanistic and psychodynamic therapies rooted in emotional presence and intersubjective meaning-making remain less amenable to technological simulation. The review further highlights the importance of hybrid care models in which human clinicians guide relational processes while AI supports precision, continuity, and scalability. Ethical implementation requires robust frameworks emphasizing transparency, informed consent, equitable access, data protection, and sustained human oversight. Emerging neurotechnologies introduce additional considerations regarding autonomy, identity, and the need for evolving "neurorights." Overall, this review argues that the future of mental health care depends on harmonizing technological innovation with human compassion. Effective, ethical, and relationally sensitive integration of AI must preserve the therapeutic alliance at its core, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces the deep human processes essential to psychological healing.

The high number of mental disorders poses challenges for health care systems. In 2020, digital health applications (DHAs) were introduced in Germany as a new form of health care financed by the statutory health insurance. They aim to detect, monitor, treat, or alleviate disease, injury, or disability. DHAs for mental disorders (DHA-MD) intend to improve outpatient care for patients with mental disorders. However, evidence on general practitioners' (GPs') perspectives on DHA-MD and their prescribing behavior is limited.

This study aimed to analyze GPs' perspectives on DHA-MD and their prescribing behavior in the care of patients with mental disorders.

A mixed methods study was conducted (January-October 2024), including a Germany-wide online survey and qualitative interviews with GPs and medical assistants (MAs). Sampling was conducted in collaboration with German research practice networks, which distributed the study invitation to their affiliated GPs. The questionnaire as well as the interview guides for GPs and MAs was developed by the study team according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Descriptive analyses of prescribing behavior and perceived need (measured on an 11-point scale) for DHA-MD were conducted, followed by multivariate regression analyses to identify predictors of prescribing behavior and perceived need for DHA-MD. The interviews with GPs and MAs were analyzed using qualitative content analysis according to Mayring.

A sample of 149 GPs participated, and 12 GPs as well as 5 MAs were interviewed. The median prescription frequency of DHA-MD per quarter was 1, whereas the median estimated need was 3. Working in a half digitized and half paper-based practice (odds ratio 5.133, 95% CI 1.695-15.542) as well as working in a completely digitized practice (odds ratio 3.006, 95% CI 1.296-6.969) positively predicted the prescribing behavior. The duration of GPs' medical practice (b=-0.057; P=.01) negatively predicted the perceived need, while working in a group practice (b=0.980; P=.02) positively predicted the perceived need for DHA-MD. In the interviews, GPs and MAs reported that they valued DHA-MD as a temporary or supplementary option for bridging waiting times for psychotherapy and considered their effectiveness to be highly dependent on indication and patient adherence. Reported barriers of GPs according to DHA-MD included lacking knowledge about DHA-MD, missing effectiveness studies, and difficulties integrating them into existing care processes.

GPs are reluctant to prescribe DHA-MD, as the need is considered to be low and their use is primarily seen as a temporary or supplementary treatment option rather than a stand-alone intervention. There are significant reasons for rejection and barriers that hinder prescription in primary care. Addressing these barriers and involving GPs as well as patients in future research are essential for the development of DHA-MD.

Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) can be particularly effective for young people, who live more of their lives online than older generations. Co-designing mental health support with young people can combat the challenges of a lack of engagement and sustained use. While this is increasingly common, there are often budget and timeline restraints in research settings that limit true co-design. As part of the Nurture-U project exploring a whole-university approach to student mental health, we coadapted an existing digital platform, i-Spero (P1Vital), with university students. This paper is a reflection on the impact that our student advisors had on the end product, and where the guidance of the young people was implemented, and not implemented, within the existing research parameters.

This study aims to present an inductive analysis of meeting notes and recordings of the co-design process, in order to highlight what aspects of DMHIs our advisors valued and what, as a research team, we were able to implement. The hope is that this will inform future mental health interventions in this age group.

The i-Spero digital well-being platform was developed over an iterative process with multiple rounds of feedback from student advisors in 2022-2024. An inductive qualitative analysis approach was implemented by 2 authors (NA and JD) on the detailed feedback reports and meeting summaries of this process to generate categories and themes from the student advisors' feedback.

Three themes were created: "Relevance and Usefulness," highlighting the importance of comprehensive features linking in with all aspects university life, while treating young people as adults; "Simplicity and Clarity," with student advisors suggesting edits that removed burden from the user and eased access to support; and "Acceptability and Inclusiveness," ensuring awareness of the needs of students from different backgrounds, and what young people with mental health difficulties may be able to access in times of need.

There are some challenges in ensuring that DMHIs are both comprehensive and simple. These can be met by ensuring the aesthetic design and platform structure are consistent and clear. Co-design and development are crucial due to the difficulty in ensuring that online interventions are relevant to specific audiences in the constantly evolving digital landscape. The structures surrounding our joint adaptation of an existing intervention meant that not all the changes suggested could be implemented. Future work should explore the impact of different participation frameworks when coproducing interventions with young people.

Digital interventions play an innovative role in the treatment of mental health disorders, offering evidence-based solutions across a wide range of conditions. Blended therapy (BT), which integrates digitally delivered interventions with face-to-face therapy, has shown promise. However, challenges such as low uptake hinder widespread implementation. Mental health professionals are key stakeholders for the adoption of BT in routine care settings.

This study explores mental health professionals' perspectives on BT, specifically assessing their perceived knowledge of, acceptance of, usage of, and perceptions of different BT types. Additionally, it examines mental health professionals' perceived advantages and disadvantages of BT, challenges associated with implementation, and wishes toward the future application of BT.

A survey study was conducted among 203 mental health professionals (152 psychological psychotherapists and 51 psychiatrists, including also individuals in training) in Switzerland. The data were analyzed using both quantitative methods and qualitative content analysis.

Participants reported limited knowledge of BT (mean 2.71, SD 1.32), attitudes toward BT were somewhat positive (mean 5.25, SD 1.34), and acceptance was moderate (mean 3.64, SD 1.20). Among various digitally delivered interventions, teletherapy (video) was most frequently integrated with face-to-face treatment and considered more suitable for BT than chat, email, or new technologies. More than 75% (n=152) of the respondents deemed BT appropriate for the treatment of affective (mood) disorders (F30-F39) and for the treatment of neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders (F40-F48; ICD-10). The qualitative analyses of open-ended questions highlighted key advantages of BT as perceived by mental health professionals. These include increased treatment flexibility, the ability to outsource therapy components, and enhanced treatment efficiency. However, disadvantages such as increased effort and potential disruptions to the therapeutic relationship were also noted. Participants identified barriers to BT implementation, including financing and data security concerns. To facilitate BT adoption, respondents emphasized the desire for better cost coverage, easy access to digitally delivered interventions, and seamless integration of digital tools into face-to-face therapy.

The findings indicate that mental health professionals report limited knowledge of BT and consider it more suitable for certain disorders than others. Moreover, from their perspective, while BT offers advantages, it also presents disadvantages. Addressing mental health professional knowledge gaps, alongside resolving perceived implementation barriers, may be key to the successful future implementation of BT in routine mental health settings.

In 2019, pursuant to a Section 1115 waiver, Florida launched a Statewide Medicaid Managed Care housing assistance pilot to foster housing stability and reduce preventable health care use in adults with serious mental illness (SMI) or substance use disorder (SUD). We conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine the relationship between four housing support services provided in the pilot (transitional housing support, tenancy support, peer support, and crisis management) and health care use and health outcomes among 1,300 pilot enrollees during the period December 2017-June 2024. Transitional housing support services were associated with a 15 percent increase in emergency department (ED) visits. Tenancy support services were associated with 51 percent lower odds of all-cause mortality, and peer support was associated with a 20 percent reduction in ED use. Crisis management was associated with a 45 percent increase in ED visits, a 41 percent increase in outpatient visits, and a 90 percent increase in psychiatric hospitalizations. Findings highlight the value of tailored Medicaid housing interventions for people with SMI or SUD. Medicaid policy should prioritize high-value, data-driven housing interventions and protect them from budget cuts. Embedding such services within managed care contracts and aligning them with broader care coordination strategies offer a viable path for sustainability.

Perinatal depression is a common condition that concerns 10 to 20 % of women after childbirth. Often underdiagnosed, it has significant consequences for the mother's mental health, the child's development, and family dynamics. This review explores its epidemiology, risk factors, and distinct clinical manifestations. It highlights the need for systematic screening, expert assessment, and a stepped approach to care that integrates pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions within a coordinated multidisciplinary framework.

The menopausal transition concerns over a quarter of the female population in France, but its clinical and socio-professional trajectories remain poorly explored. CLIMATÈRE is a prospective, fully digital cohort study designed to recruit over 100,000 women, aged 30 and over (whether premenopausal, perimenopausal, or menopausal). Participants register on the CLIMATÈRE website to complete questionnaires covering menopausal symptoms, lifestyle factors, mental health, and occupation. Annual follow-up will be conducted. CLIMATÈRE will provide a national map of women's health at the time of menopause, with the goal of developing personalized prevention tools in the field of women's health.

Although adequate water intake during the day enhances mental health, its effects during sleep remain unknown. We aimed to define the impact of plain water intake before bedtime on sleep parameters and depressive mood. We surveyed 2,000 Japanese using a questionnaire to determine associations between pre-bedtime water intake and depressive mood measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; Study 1). We also compared the effects of consuming 280 mL of plain water immediately before bedtime and of not consuming any beverages for at least 2 hours before bedtime (Study 2). The findings of Study 2 indicated that plain water intake immediately before bedtime decreased depressive mood in the morning, prolonged REM sleep latency, and reduced the duration of REM sleep. However, plain water intake also increased the likelihood of nocturia. Although balancing advantages and disadvantages is essential, the practice of consuming plain water before bedtime is a simple and effective way to enhance subjective wellbeing.

Teachers play a critical role in social and economic development, yet evidence on their health outcomes in Latin America remains scarce. In Colombia, teachers are generally classified in occupational risk level 1, a category considered to have minimal hazards. This study aimed to describe and compare mortality and comorbidities among teachers and non-teachers in the same risk category, and to explore differences across educational levels within the teaching profession.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using four linked national administrative databases in 2017. Adults affiliated to the contributory health insurance scheme and classified under occupational risk level 1 were included. Teachers were identified and stratified by educational level. Outcomes included one-year all-cause mortality and prevalence of mental health and hearing disorders. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical covariates were used to estimate associations.

A total of 4,256,719 individuals were included, of whom 353,985 (8.3%) were teachers. Teachers were older (mean age 40.1 vs 36.4 years) and more frequently female (69% vs 60%) than non-teachers. The one-year mortality proportion was higher among teachers (0.14%) than non-teachers (0.11%). After adjustment, teaching was associated with a 15% higher risk of mortality (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03-1.28). No significant associations were found for mental health (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-1.01) or hearing disorders (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.92-1.02). Subgroup analyses showed the highest mortality proportions among teachers in technical and technological education.

Despite being classified in the lowest occupational risk level, private-sector teachers in Colombia exhibited higher mortality compared with other workers in the same group. Differences in mental health and hearing disorders were not significant. These findings highlight the need to strengthen surveillance, prevention, and protection strategies tailored to teachers, recognizing them as a priority population within occupational health and education policies.

Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) are more prevalent among men and boys than among women and girls. However, this sex/gender gap has been narrowing in recent decades, likely due to an increase in cannabis use among women and girls, who have been historically under-represented in cannabis research. The lack of sex- and gender-based approaches within cannabis research has been highlighted in previous reviews, some of which have synthesized existing literature of associations between sex, gender, and cannabis use. What is missing is a clinically-relevant synthesis of evidence for sex and gender influences on problematic cannabis use, including treatment-related outcomes that could be used to influence care. The objective of this scoping review is to identify and synthesize published evidence about the influence of sex and gender on correlates and outcomes of treatment among people with problematic cannabis use (including CUD). Furthermore, we will examine to what extent this published literature has considered how sex and gender intersect with other social categories such as race and sexuality.

This scoping review will follow the most commonly used methodology, the 2005 Arksey and O'Malley scoping study framework (including the optional consultation exercise to solicit feedback from relevant stakeholders) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines. The protocol has been registered on Open Science Framework (OSF) Registries (Registration DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/KC76M). We will search MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for articles published between 2010 and the present (inclusive). Included studies must be conducted in human participants with problematic cannabis use (e.g., diagnosis or screening for CUD) and include an analysis of sex- and/or gender-related factors. Using Covidence software, two independent reviewers will screen each record at the title/abstract and full text phases. Two independent reviewers will then use a data charting form developed by the study team to extract data. Data charting and both phases of article screening will begin with a pilot process completed by all article reviewers to ensure consistency. Article data will be exported into a spreadsheet to facilitate summary and basic descriptive statistics. Studies will be grouped together first by content area (e.g., treatment correlates, treatment effectiveness), then by study design, and which sex- or gender-related factors are considered in the analysis.

We will disseminate findings using two main strategies. First, we will engage in traditional knowledge translation, including publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at both medical and scientific conferences. Second, we will engage in knowledge translation strategies that will reach a wider audience (e.g., presentations to non-researcher audiences, dissemination of findings through social media networks, and development of brochures, infographics, and short videos to summarize our findings for a lay audience). We aim to ultimately engage relevant stakeholders (including clinicians) to determine how the identified evidence can best support care of problematic cannabis use.