The Script That Unfolds
The story often begins with a kid who is a loner, struggling to connect in a society that doesn't understand or accept him. He becomes the target of bullying, reinforcing his sense of abandonment. Attempts to belong are met with rejection, pushing him into solitude among intrusive thoughts, creating a state of darkness that becomes uncomfortably familiar.
The Path to Desperation
At some point, these individuals can no longer differentiate between their depression, disgust for society, and the shame masked by anger. They hope that by disconnecting from their "human avatar," they can enact justice against those who made them feel worthless, seeking a sense of belonging through drastic actions.
The Desire to Be Seen
Can you imagine lacking the discernment to distinguish between truth and the hallucinations created by cognitive distortions? It's similar to how language models (LLMs) operate, except AI doesn't struggle with feelings of loneliness or impulsive actions for validation. Sounds crazy, huh? But when studying the actions of people who commit violent acts, such as mass shootings, we find they all have one goal: to be seen.
The Yearning for Belonging
They are not seeking fame or likes. Their inner child yearns to be seen because it was never heard and feels misunderstood. Children who experience bullying carry deep wounds of shame from not feeling loved or being able to show love, often labeled as problematic and incapable of empathy.
The Fear of Rejection
As human beings, there is no greater yearning than belonging and no greater fear than being rejected by those meant to keep us safe. When we feel ousted, we seek acceptance elsewhere, hoping to find validation and a sense of identity.
We live in a society that glorifies social media over discipline, failing to teach kids right from wrong. Even conservative households with liberal views and religious observances are seen as problematic. Instead, we emphasize progressive agendas, often leading kids to isolation, confusion, and identity changes without proper follow-up and support.
The Role of Adults
When chaos erupts, the adults in charge—in the halls of Washington D.C. with their fancy salaries—are revealed as the real problem. They are supposed to set an example for our kids but often fail to vote on most legislation as required.
Through their constant ineptitude and silent bullying in the halls our forefathers fought for, we've been conditioned to accept "learned helplessness"—the belief that nothing can be done, that we are all doomed, and that the country is going downhill because of one party or the other. We, the people, without thinking twice, express our frustrations out loud around our kids, failing to realize that Graham Nash warned us to "Teach Our Children Well."
The Role of AI in Mental Health
I will never condone the actions of anyone who takes another's life, regardless of their past. Even though I can empathize and see things from their perspective, I believe in personal responsibility and the power to shape our destinies.
While I always advocate for in-person mental and emotional support, I understand the practical challenges within our system. Being both a patient and a practitioner, I see that our country lags in many areas. AI can be a tool to aid us in coping, thriving, and growing. Unfortunately, we criticize it and find faults instead of making it a valuable resource to address issues like loneliness and mental health.
The Value of Connection
We need to stop catastrophizing our future with AI. If you are that person, ask yourself if you are projecting your own experiences or basing your opinions on facts. We are navigating uncertainty with AI, but for now, it is helping more people than not.
Fear and shame marketing may sell e-courses and get media ratings, but not when it comes to mental health. Sometimes, it's best to consider whether a person would be better off staying home and feeling safe while talking to their bot or GPT. This can be especially helpful for navigating panic attacks, depression, or burnout, particularly for someone who can't afford a therapist, is too ashamed to see a doctor, or has found comfort with their bot. Knowing they can make it through another day is incredibly valuable for this person.
As humanitarians in AI, our work starts with ensuring data security and ethical use. We must help people manage their emotional health with AI while understanding it's a temporary tool, not a replacement for a therapist or in-person mental health practitioner.
Remember, the machine will be there, but for many, survival depends on living one day at a time.
Karma is the most patient gangsta ever—
Debs
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