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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Technology
Hannah Harris Green

Has OpenAI really made ChatGPT better for users with mental health problems?

ChatGPT OpenAI Mental Health Ren Vaile Wright Adam Raine Suicide Chicago
an app on a phone screen
ChatGPT on App Store displayed on a phone screen on 07 June 2025. Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images

An OpenAI statement released this week claimed the company had made its popular service ChatGPT better at supporting users experiencing mental health problems like suicidal ideation or delusions, but experts tell the Guardian they need to do more to truly ensure users are protected.

The Guardian tested several prompts indicating suicidal ideation with the ChatGPT GPT-5 updated model, which is now the default, and got alarming responses from the large language model (LLM) chatbot.

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