Israeli Experts Call for AI Use to Detect Mental Health Crises in Digital Communications
Israel invests heavily in advanced systems that detect financial fraud, cyberattacks, and operational failures by analyzing millions of transactions for unusual patterns. However, when it comes to identifying mental health crises, where changes in communication patterns could signal danger to life, detection still largely depends on human observation, a method increasingly inadequate in today's digital age.
Much of modern life unfolds through text messages, chats, posts, and comments, where signs of mental distress may appear as sudden changes in writing style, repeated expressions of despair, or social withdrawal. While not every brief message or sad post indicates a crisis, professional knowledge and context are essential to interpret these signals correctly. Ignoring digital communication means overlooking a critical arena where distress often manifests.
The nonprofit organization Sahar (Support and Listening Online), led by CEO Inbar Snefeld, has operated in this digital space for over 25 years. Since October 7, the group has seen an unprecedented surge in demand for online mental health support, expanding its service from 11 hours daily to 24/7 availability. In the Arab sector alone, monthly requests increased by approximately 54%. This data suggests that digital platforms are no longer secondary channels for help but often the primary or sole outlet for children, youth, and those facing stigma or lacking access to traditional care.
Snefeld argues that identifying distress in text cannot remain the sole responsibility of nonprofits and volunteers; it must become part of a national prevention strategy. Artificial intelligence can play a significant role by detecting patterns and repeated despair expressions over time and helping prioritize cases. However, AI should serve only as an early warning system, not as a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Without proper oversight, privacy safeguards, and bias checks, automated risk assessments could cause harm.
Responsibility for integrating technology into mental health prevention is shared among the government, education, healthcare, welfare systems, and tech companies. Schools should teach how to recognize distress in digital communication, professionals need training to interpret textual signs, and platforms holding vast communication data must acknowledge their role in identifying distress. Israel already develops sophisticated alert systems for measurable risks; it is time to apply the same systemic seriousness to suicide prevention and mental health crises, ensuring the prevention infrastructure keeps pace with distress reflected in digital spaces.
