CEO Corner with Dr. Celine Coggins

Holding optimism and caution on the next stage of mental health advances

I had the opportunity to attend a series of different meetings last week that blew my mind on a few fronts. My first observation is that, in these troubled times, hope and compassion are alive and well among those working to transform the mental health landscape. I got to join conversations that expanded my personal sense of possibility as well as my understanding of how mental health intersects with other key issues, from humanitarian crises to climate to longevity. Getting to be in spaces where thousands of passionate people are working to solve complex systems-level problems together is inspiring! I am grateful to get to represent all of our donors in those spaces. Together, we make important parts of this progress possible.

 

My second observation is how quickly the pace of change is accelerating in both brain science and AI, creating a new universe of possibility for how we understand and treat mental health conditions. I got to learn about how biomarkers from the brain and microbiome can help to determine a precise course of intervention based on individual-level needs. This genetic data might point some patients toward a simple simulation or skill building practice, others to CBT, and still others to TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) or pharmaceuticals. Better understanding of neuroscience paired with rapidly advancing AI capabilities is enabling a level of personalization in care that we could only dream of a short while ago.

 

At the same time, I worry that our enthusiasm (mine included) for the scientific advances that can lead to breakthroughs in mental health treatment might inadvertently lead us to underemphasize the risks. Using AI for therapy has risen to the #1 use for AI in 2025, and the market is responding with increasing options for AI companions, built to keep you chatting. More than two-thirds of teens have enlisted a chatbot, half of those specifically to help them with an emotional issue. And young people with underlying mental health conditions are more likely to develop dependence on the AI companion. As we build our funding priorities for the short-term, ensuring safety for young people as AI companionship explodes is paramount among them.