Partnership on AI Welcomes Eight New Partners Advancing Mental Health and Well-being
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The post Partnership on AI Welcomes Eight New Partners Advancing Mental Health and Well-being appeared first on Partnership on AI .
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The organizations joining Partnership on AI today are the ones people turn to when they need help most. Increasingly, people are also turning to AI systems in those moments, and the frontline and clinical experience these organizations hold needs to shape how those systems are built. Ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, we welcome the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention , Child Mind Institute , Crisis Text Line , the International Association for Suicide Prevention , Mental Health America , the National Alliance for Eating Disorders , The Trevor Project , and Vibrant Emotional Health to the Partnership on AI community.
They bring the perspective of those most affected by how AI systems respond to distress, and they join as PAI launches a new area of work where that expertise is most needed.
“People are seeking help, connection, and care through AI chatbots, but what is safe to do? The people who have spent decades building safe, compassionate mental health support are essential voices in how these systems are designed and governed,” said Rebecca Finlay, CEO, Partnership on AI . “I’m delighted to welcome our new Partners. Their expertise will strengthen our work on AI, Human Connection, and Well-being and help ensure that AI serves people’s well-being and the public interest.”
The new work focuses on AI and psychological well-being. It sits within AI, Human Connection, and Well-being, one of the core focus areas in PAI’s 2027–2031 strategic plan , Shared Stakes, Lasting Impact . The plan’s goal is responsible AI business practices that serve the public interest. By that we mean AI built with the people it affects, governed accountably, and operated fairly, transparently, reliably, and securely. Mental health is one of the clearest tests of that standard.
At the center of the work is the new AI and Psychological Well-being Working Group, which pairs practitioners from leading AI companies with mental health and suicide prevention organizations, clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience. Its first task is practical guidance on how general-purpose AI chatbots should respond when someone may be at risk of suicide or self-harm, with a draft open for public input later this year.
Our new Partners join a global network of more than 150 organizations across 19 countries.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Headquartered in New York, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide.
“We are pleased to join the important work of the Partnership on AI and are prioritizing the need for deeper understanding and support of AI in mental health and suicide prevention education, research and engagement. We are encouraged by AI advancements within our field, and committed to serving communities, families, teens and workplaces nationwide with evidence-informed guidance and education as we navigate together the ever-changing, evolving AI landscape,” said Christine Moutier, MD, Chief Medical Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Child Mind Institute is the leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families experiencing mental health and learning disorders. Since its founding in 2009, Child Mind Institute has become a global institution reaching millions of families each year through excellence in evidence-based clinical care, renowned educational resources and training, and science to advance the next generation of treatment.
“The Child Mind Institute, as the leading nonprofit dedicated to improving youth mental health through science, education, and care, is uniquely positioned to help tackle the key issues affecting the well-being of young people, including technology and the proliferation of AI. As members of the Partnership on AI, we look forward to working with a diverse group of stakeholders to help ensure these technologies are developed and deployed safely, ethically, and for the genuine benefit of children and families,” said Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, President and Medical Director, Child Mind Institute.
Crisis Text Line is a global mental health nonprofit dedicated to supporting people in their most difficult moments. The organization focuses on both crisis intervention and prevention, providing free, 24/7, confidential support in English and Spanish through a text-based platform that meets people where they are. It pairs human connection with scalable AI technology, research, and partnerships to strengthen mental health systems and drive lasting change.
“Artificial intelligence is changing the way people experience the world, including how they seek information, connection, and support. It is critical that organizations working at the intersection of technology and mental health have a seat at the table as these systems evolve. Our partnership with Partnership on AI is critical, allowing us to bring the voices and experiences of people in need, along with what we have learned from providing human mental health support at scale, into a broader conversation about how AI can serve people safely and responsibly,” said Elizabeth Olson, PhD, VP, AI/NLP Clinical Research Science, Crisis Text Line.
Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting the mental health and well-being of all people living in the U.S. With a network of MHA affiliates across the country, MHA works at both the national and local levels to advance its mission through public education, research, advocacy and public policy, and direct service. Its work is informed, designed, and led by the lived experience of those most affected.
“Responsibly designed AI tools hold great promise for filling gaps in access to care and supporting the mental health workforce. Mental Health America is excited to join the Partnership on AI to help advance AI innovations that balance progress and safety. We look forward to working collaboratively across sectors to ensure that the needs and desires of AI users with mental health conditions and substance use disorders are centered at every step of this process,” said Theresa Nguyen, Chief Research Officer, Mental Health America.
The National Alliance for Eating Disorders (The Alliance) is the leading national nonprofit providing free, comprehensive support, education, and resources to individuals affected by eating disorders and their loved ones. Through its therapist-staffed helpline, free weekly therapist-led support groups, treatment referrals, awareness initiatives, and educational programming, The Alliance works tirelessly to help ensure that everyone affected by an eating disorder has access to help and support.
“Joining the Partnership on AI is an exciting opportunity for The National Alliance for Eating Disorders to bring the voices and lived experiences of people affected by eating disorders into the conversation about the future of AI. As AI increasingly shapes how people access information, support, and mental health resources, it is critical that we consider both its potential to improve lives and the ways it can create new risks and harms. We are thrilled to join PAI’s diverse global community and contribute our expertise to building AI that is safer and more responsible for our community,” said Johanna S. Kandel, Founder and CEO, National Alliance for Eating Disorders.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) is a leading global non-governmental organization dedicated to preventing suicide, reducing its impacts, and providing a forum for professionals, volunteers, and individuals with lived experience. IASP brings together members from around the world and leads World Suicide Prevention Day each year on September 10.
“Suicide is preventable, and every response to someone in distress, whether it comes from a person or an AI system, makes a difference. As more people turn to chatbots in difficult moments, the companies building them have become part of suicide prevention. That brings responsibility, and it also brings opportunity. IASP connects researchers, clinicians, volunteers and people with lived experience in around 80 countries, many of them working in low and middle-income countries where most suicides occur and where support can be hardest to reach. We are joining the Partnership on AI to share that knowledge, to make sure safety standards reflect the evidence and the realities of people’s lives around the world, and to work alongside AI companies so that their systems connect people to care and to each other.”
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. The organization provides 24/7 crisis counseling via phone, text, and chat, conducts original research, advocates for policies that support LGBTQ+ young people, and offers public education and an affirming online peer support community.
Vibrant Emotional Health is a non-profit organization that has worked for over 50 years to help individuals and families achieve mental and emotional well-being with dignity and respect. As a leader in technology-enabled mental health support, community wellness programs, advocacy, and education, Vibrant administers high-profile crisis services, including the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the Disaster Distress Helpline, and NYC 988. Through their comprehensive systems of care, Vibrant delivers support from immediate crisis response to long-term stability and recovery.
As PAI marks its tenth anniversary, our focus is on moving responsible AI from principle to practice across the value chain. Each of our new Partners strengthens that work. If your organization shares the ambition of AI that contributes to a more just, equitable, and prosperous world, we’d welcome a conversation. To learn more about joining PAI’s Partner community, visit partnershiponai.org/contact/ .
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