# OpenAI Forms Expert Council to Guide AI's Role in Mental Health

OpenAI announced the creation of a new Expert Council on Well-Being and AI, bringing together psychologists, clinicians, and researchers to shape how ChatGPT handles emotional health conversations.

The council will focus particularly on teenage users, a demographic that has raised concerns among parents and mental health professionals as AI chatbots become increasingly sophisticated and widely used.

The initiative signals OpenAI's recognition that AI systems like ChatGPT are being used for emotional support and mental health discussions, whether intended or not. By assembling experts in psychology and clinical practice, the company aims to build guardrails and best practices into its technology.

**Why it matters:** Millions of people, including vulnerable teenagers, already turn to AI chatbots for advice and emotional support. Without proper guidance, these interactions could potentially cause harm or provide inappropriate responses to users in crisis.

The council's work