Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Boosting Workplace Well-Being: A Novel Approach with a Mental Health Chatbot for Employee Engagement and Satisfaction

Received: 18 December 2023    Accepted: 29 December 2023    Published: 11 January 2024
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Abstract

Digital interventions for health, like chatbots, are being recognised as tools for addressing the growing mental health crisis. This study investigates the efficacy of AI-driven mental health interventions in the workplace, focusing on a chatbot designed to promote employee well-being. With an urgent need to address the rising mental health issues in corporate settings, the research delves into the current landscape of mental health support and evaluates the potential of technology-based solutions. A survey involving 25 HR professionals and Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) from various industries across the United States formed the backbone of the study. These participants, representing a significant portion of the corporate workforce, provided insights into the effectiveness, accessibility, and perceptions of mental health strategies in their organisations. Utilising a quantitative analysis method, specifically T-test hypothesis testing, the study aimed to understand attitudes towards AI-based mental health solutions and their actual implementation within organisations. It was found that while awareness of virtual AI coaches and therapists is relatively high, around 72%, only about 7% of respondents could accurately identify specific AI-driven mental health tools. Over 60% of participants preferred anonymity when discussing mental health issues, underscoring the sensitive nature of the topic. Despite around 84% indicating the presence of mental health support in organisations, at least 68% questioned its accessibility and comprehensiveness. The majority, about 83%, believed that AI-driven apps positively impact employee productivity, with at least 77% suggesting they could reduce attrition rates. However, concerns about data privacy and cultural acceptance within organisations were evident, with 52-64% of executives expressing reservations, respectively. The study illuminates a path forward, suggesting a nuanced understanding and strategic implementation of AI mental health solutions in the workplace. It underscores the need for comprehensive awareness programs, enhanced accessibility, and addressing privacy and cultural concerns, thereby paving the way for a more empathetic, efficient, and technology-integrated approach to employee mental health.

Published in American Journal of Artificial Intelligence (Volume 8, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajai.20240801.12
Page(s) 5-12
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

AI Chatbots, NLP, Mental Health Interventions, AI-Driven Chatbots, Workplace Well-Being, Corporate Mental Health Support, Employee Wellbeing

References
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[2] American Psychological Association. (2023). Workplace health and well-being: 2023 survey results. https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/work-in-america/2023-workplace-health-well-being
[3] Balcombe, L. (2023, October 27). AI Chatbots in Digital Mental Health. Informatics, 10(4), 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics10040082
[4] Boyd, D. (2023, February 15). Workplace Stress - The American Institute of Stress. The American Institute of Stress. https://www.stress.org/workplace-stress
[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, April 10). Mental Health in the Workplace. https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/tools-resources/workplace-health/mental-health/index.html
[6] Counts, N. (2023, May 18). Understanding the U.S. Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage. Commonwealth Fund. https://doi.org/10.26099/5km6-8193
[7] Denecke, K., Abd-Alrazaq, A., & Househ, M. (2021). Artificial Intelligence for Chatbots in Mental Health: Opportunities and Challenges. Multiple Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, 115–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67303-1_10
[8] Goh, J., Pfeffer, J., & Zenios, S. A. (2016, February). The Relationship Between Workplace Stressors and Mortality and Health Costs in the United States. Management Science, 62(2), 608–628. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2115
[9] Haque, M. D. R., & Rubya, S. (2023, May 22). An Overview of Chatbot-Based Mobile Mental Health Apps: Insights From App Description and User Reviews. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 11, e44838. https://doi.org/10.2196/44838
[10] Health and Safety Executive. (2023, November 3). Statistics - Working days lost in Great Britain. https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/dayslost.htm
[11] Joyce, S., Modini, M., Christensen, H., Mykletun, A., Bryant, R., Mitchell, P. B., & Harvey, S. B. (2015, December 1). Workplace interventions for common mental disorders: a systematic meta-review. Psychological Medicine, 46(4), 683–697. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291715002408
[12] Saunders, & Rudowitz. (2022, June 6). Demographics and Health Insurance Coverage of Nonelderly Adults With Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders in 2020 | KFF. KFF. https://www.kff.org/mental-health/issue-brief/demographics-and-health-insurance-coverage-of-nonelderly-adults-with-mental-illness-and-substance-use-disorders-in-2020/
[13] The Lancet Global Health. (2020, November). Mental health matters. The Lancet Global Health, 8(11), e1352. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30432-0
[14] United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2021, October 28). Employee Assistance Program (EAP). HHS.gov. Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/asa/foh/bhs/employee-assistant-program/index.html
[15] United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2023, January 4). SAMHSA Announces National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Results Detailing Mental Illness and Substance Use Levels in 2021. HHS.gov. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html
[16] World Health Organization. (2022, September 28). Guidelines on mental health at work. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240053052
[17] D. (2013, March 31). STRESS LEVELS ARE RISING WORLDWIDE | Global Organization for Stress. Global Organization for Stress | Stress, Stress Management and Stress Relief Solutions for You. Retrieved December 10, 2023, from https://www.gostress.com/stress-levels-are-rising-worldwide/
[18] Zhu, J. M., Charlesworth, C. J., Polsky, D., & McConnell, K. J. (2022, July 1). Phantom Networks: Discrepancies Between Reported And Realized Mental Health Care Access In Oregon Medicaid. Health Affairs, 41(7), 1013–1022. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00052
[19] Bernal, G., Jiménez-Chafey, M. I., & Domenech Rodríguez, M. M. (2009, August). Cultural adaptation of treatments: A resource for considering culture in evidence-based practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40(4), 361–368. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016401
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Banerjee, S., Agarwal, A., Ghosh, P., Bar, A. K. (2024). Boosting Workplace Well-Being: A Novel Approach with a Mental Health Chatbot for Employee Engagement and Satisfaction. American Journal of Artificial Intelligence, 8(1), 5-12. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajai.20240801.12

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    ACS Style

    Banerjee, S.; Agarwal, A.; Ghosh, P.; Bar, A. K. Boosting Workplace Well-Being: A Novel Approach with a Mental Health Chatbot for Employee Engagement and Satisfaction. Am. J. Artif. Intell. 2024, 8(1), 5-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ajai.20240801.12

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    AMA Style

    Banerjee S, Agarwal A, Ghosh P, Bar AK. Boosting Workplace Well-Being: A Novel Approach with a Mental Health Chatbot for Employee Engagement and Satisfaction. Am J Artif Intell. 2024;8(1):5-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ajai.20240801.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajai.20240801.12,
      author = {Sourav Banerjee and Ayushi Agarwal and Promila Ghosh and Ayush Kumar Bar},
      title = {Boosting Workplace Well-Being: A Novel Approach with a Mental Health Chatbot for Employee Engagement and Satisfaction},
      journal = {American Journal of Artificial Intelligence},
      volume = {8},
      number = {1},
      pages = {5-12},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajai.20240801.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajai.20240801.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajai.20240801.12},
      abstract = {Digital interventions for health, like chatbots, are being recognised as tools for addressing the growing mental health crisis. This study investigates the efficacy of AI-driven mental health interventions in the workplace, focusing on a chatbot designed to promote employee well-being. With an urgent need to address the rising mental health issues in corporate settings, the research delves into the current landscape of mental health support and evaluates the potential of technology-based solutions. A survey involving 25 HR professionals and Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) from various industries across the United States formed the backbone of the study. These participants, representing a significant portion of the corporate workforce, provided insights into the effectiveness, accessibility, and perceptions of mental health strategies in their organisations. Utilising a quantitative analysis method, specifically T-test hypothesis testing, the study aimed to understand attitudes towards AI-based mental health solutions and their actual implementation within organisations. It was found that while awareness of virtual AI coaches and therapists is relatively high, around 72%, only about 7% of respondents could accurately identify specific AI-driven mental health tools. Over 60% of participants preferred anonymity when discussing mental health issues, underscoring the sensitive nature of the topic. Despite around 84% indicating the presence of mental health support in organisations, at least 68% questioned its accessibility and comprehensiveness. The majority, about 83%, believed that AI-driven apps positively impact employee productivity, with at least 77% suggesting they could reduce attrition rates. However, concerns about data privacy and cultural acceptance within organisations were evident, with 52-64% of executives expressing reservations, respectively. The study illuminates a path forward, suggesting a nuanced understanding and strategic implementation of AI mental health solutions in the workplace. It underscores the need for comprehensive awareness programs, enhanced accessibility, and addressing privacy and cultural concerns, thereby paving the way for a more empathetic, efficient, and technology-integrated approach to employee mental health.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    AB  - Digital interventions for health, like chatbots, are being recognised as tools for addressing the growing mental health crisis. This study investigates the efficacy of AI-driven mental health interventions in the workplace, focusing on a chatbot designed to promote employee well-being. With an urgent need to address the rising mental health issues in corporate settings, the research delves into the current landscape of mental health support and evaluates the potential of technology-based solutions. A survey involving 25 HR professionals and Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) from various industries across the United States formed the backbone of the study. These participants, representing a significant portion of the corporate workforce, provided insights into the effectiveness, accessibility, and perceptions of mental health strategies in their organisations. Utilising a quantitative analysis method, specifically T-test hypothesis testing, the study aimed to understand attitudes towards AI-based mental health solutions and their actual implementation within organisations. It was found that while awareness of virtual AI coaches and therapists is relatively high, around 72%, only about 7% of respondents could accurately identify specific AI-driven mental health tools. Over 60% of participants preferred anonymity when discussing mental health issues, underscoring the sensitive nature of the topic. Despite around 84% indicating the presence of mental health support in organisations, at least 68% questioned its accessibility and comprehensiveness. The majority, about 83%, believed that AI-driven apps positively impact employee productivity, with at least 77% suggesting they could reduce attrition rates. However, concerns about data privacy and cultural acceptance within organisations were evident, with 52-64% of executives expressing reservations, respectively. The study illuminates a path forward, suggesting a nuanced understanding and strategic implementation of AI mental health solutions in the workplace. It underscores the need for comprehensive awareness programs, enhanced accessibility, and addressing privacy and cultural concerns, thereby paving the way for a more empathetic, efficient, and technology-integrated approach to employee mental health.
    
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Author Information
  • Datalabs, United We Care, Gurgaon, India

  • Datalabs, United We Care, Gurgaon, India

  • Datalabs, United We Care, Gurgaon, India

  • Datalabs, United We Care, Gurgaon, India

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