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<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nSurgo Health, Young Futures, and The Jed Foundation (JED) find uneven risks and opportunities across youth AI engagement<\/b><\/p>\n
Washington, DC \u2014 [February 18, 2026]<\/b> \u2014 <\/span>As generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prominent in young people\u2019s lives, new nationally representative research finds that young people\u2019s mental health\u2013related experiences with AI vary widely depending on context. Among youth reporting mental health struggles, 12% indicate using GenAI for mental health support and their reactions are mixed, suggesting both potential benefits and risks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Surgo Health<\/span><\/a> conducted a two-part research series: the first report (<\/span>Youth Mental Health in the AI Era: Why Context Matters More Than Technology<\/span><\/i>)\u00a0 in partnership with <\/span>Young Futures<\/span><\/a> looked at youth AI engagement,\u00a0 and the second report (<\/span>Youth Mental Health in the AI Era: How GenAI Enters Help-Seeking Pathways<\/span><\/i>) in partnership with <\/span>The Jed Foundation (JED)<\/span><\/a> looked at how AI enters youth mental health help-seeking. Results show that young people report engaging with AI in fundamentally different ways depending on social support, stress, adversity, and access to care. For youth, AI can function as a tool, a bridge to support, or a substitute for care, with very different implications for well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n Drawing on survey data from more than 1,300 youth ages 13\u201324, the first report, in partnership with Young Futures, identifies six patterns of AI engagement, ordered by increasing frequency of use. Across these segments, mental health outcomes vary widely even among youth with similar levels of AI use, reinforcing that frequency alone is a poor indicator of risk or benefit.<\/span><\/p>\n The rest of the youth are those who have never used AI (21%) and youth who don’t know what AI tools are (1%).<\/span><\/p>\n Patterns of AI engagement also differ across demographic groups, underscoring the need for <\/span>targeted, equity-informed approaches<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>This research confirms what we hear at Young Futures: young people aren’t a monolith and their relationship with AI reflects the broader context of their lives\u2014their relationships, their stressors, and their access to support systems and caring adults<\/span><\/i>,” said <\/span>Dr. Kristine Gloria, COO & Co-founder of Young Futures<\/b>. “<\/span>Instead, we need an ecosystem approach that prioritizes social connection, trusted mentorship, and adaptive support structures that can meet young people where they are and respond to their diverse needs and circumstances. One-size-fits-all solutions simply can’t serve a generation this varied in how they navigate technology and seek support<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Jed Foundation (JED) contributed to the question design and interpretation of findings in the second report on mental health care-seeking pathways. Youth who turned to AI during mental health struggles reported greater barriers to professional care, including cost, lack of caregiver support, and not knowing help was available. Many described using AI because it felt easier than talking to people in their lives and helped them avoid burdening others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, while short-term emotional relief after AI use was common, it did not consistently translate into positive experiences over time. Neutral or negative experiences were more common when AI functioned as a substitute for care rather than part of a broader support system.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis report confirms that many young people are turning to general-purpose AI tools to address mental health concerns, especially when they face barriers to care. Importantly, these systems were not designed for this purpose and often serve as endpoints rather than pathways to support from caring adults or mental health professionals,<\/span><\/i>\u201d said <\/span>Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth, JED\u2019s Chief Medical Officer. <\/b>\u201c<\/span>The Jed Foundation is proud to partner with Surgo Health to improve our understanding of young people\u2019s mental health-related experiences with AI<\/span><\/i>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The findings call on public health leaders, educators, and policymakers to move beyond blanket approaches to youth and AI. Instead, the report emphasizes <\/span>segment-informed strategies<\/b> that strengthen offline support, protect youth agency, and ensure AI complements, rather than replaces, human connection. The findings also underscore the responsibility of AI developers and platforms <\/span>fo<\/span>r how these systems shape youth help-seeking and emotional support, particularly during moments of distress.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe most effective responses to youth mental health in the AI era won\u2019t come from technology alone,\u201d said <\/span><\/i>Sema Sgaier, CEO and Co-Founder of Surgo Health<\/i><\/b>. \u201cThey will come from investing in the social and emotional environments that shape how young people use these tools, alongside responsible design and governance<\/span><\/i>.<\/i><\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Together, these studies show that generative AI is already part of youth mental health help-seeking, often on platforms not designed for this purpose. Whether AI reduces harm or deepens inequities depends on how it is built, governed, and integrated into real pathways of care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Surgo Health is a Public Benefit Corporation building the world\u2019s most comprehensive and insightful AI-powered data platform that reveals the why behind people\u2019s behaviors. We uncover the unseen drivers of health\u2014people\u2019s beliefs, barriers, and behaviors\u2014and transform that intelligence into scalable products that enable healthcare organizations to drive impact, reduce costs, and advance equity. By revealing the human side of healthcare, we\u2019re making it more personal, precise, and effective\u2014for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n The Youth Mental Health Tracker (YMHT) created by Surgo Health, with support from Pivotal and Paramount, uncovers the complexities of youth mental health and well-being, providing actionable insights that equip communities, policymakers, and healthcare providers to foster environments where young people can truly thrive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Young Futures (YF) is a non-profit on a mission to make the digital world an easier place to grow-up. YF provides a social compass for teens and families navigating the tech-driven world by building an ecosystem of solutions for youth well-being. Surgo partnered with YF on the first report to integrate data-driven research with youth-centered expertise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Connect with JED: <\/span>Email<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>LinkedIn<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>TikTok<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Snapchat<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>YouTube<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Cathryn Meurn<\/span> Brooke Messaye<\/span>Six Distinct Segments of Youth AI Engagement<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Different Groups, Different Needs<\/b><\/h3>\n
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How Youth Use AI During Mental Health Struggles<\/b><\/h3>\n
Implications for Policy and Practice<\/b><\/h3>\n
Click Here to Read the Reports<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n
About<\/b> Surgo Health<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n
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About <\/b>Young Futures<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n
About The Jed Foundation<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation\u2019s teens and young adults. We\u2019re partnering with high schools, colleges, school districts, and youth-serving community-based organizations to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We\u2019re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We\u2019re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.<\/span><\/p>\nMedia Contacts<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\nChief of Staff<\/span>
\nSurgo Health<\/span>
\nmedia@surgohealth.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
\nYoung Futures<\/span>
\n<\/span>brooke@youngfutures.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n