The Importance of Justified Patient Trust in unlocking AI's potential in mental healthcare

Abstract: Without trust, patients may hesitate to engage with AI systems, significantly limiting the technology's potential in mental healthcare. This paper focuses specifically on the trust that mental health patients, as direct users, must have in AI systems, highlighting the most sensitive and direct relationship between AI systems and those whose mental healthcare is impacted by them. We explore the concept of justified trust, why it is important for patient positive care outcomes, and the strategies needed to foster and maintain this trust. By examining these aspects, we highlight how cultivating justified trust is key to unlocking AI's potential impact in mental healthcare.