Han Q, Zhao C. Unleashing the potential of chatbots in mental health: bibliometric analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2025;16:1494355. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1494355
This comprehensive bibliometric analysis examined global research trends on the use of chatbots in mental health. The study aimed to provide an analysis that could be used as an early benchmark in this rapidly growing field. Data were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection, a major academic database, and focused specifically on studies related to both chatbots and mental health. The bibliometric analysis findings showed substantial growth in research activity over the past decade. Publications increased from only two articles in 2015 to 61 articles by mid-2024, indicating strong and sustained interest in the topic. Growth accelerated after 2019, reflecting increased attention to digital approaches for supporting mental health, with the initial increase seen around the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers in this field frequently collaborated across countries, highlighting the international nature of mental health research. The United States, England, and Australia were among the most productive (published) contributors, while countries such as China, Singapore, and Canada emerged as important research centers in recent years. Early studies focused on virtual agents and smartphone-based tools for addressing issues such as stress, depression, and suicide prevention. More recent research has shifted toward anxiety, depression, cognitive behavioral therapy, and advanced artificial intelligence technologies. Emerging topics include ChatGPT, machine learning, and large language models, which are computer systems capable of understanding and generating human-like language. Overall, the study demonstrates that chatbots have become a significant area of mental health research due to their potential to enhance access to support and services. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of AI-powered chatbots and exploring how they can be safely integrated into clinical mental health practice.