Bridge or Substitute: AI and Mental Health Help-Seeking in Asia

Study 1: Scoping Review · Universiti Malaya · October 2026 to February 2027

AI chatbots and mental health apps are now part of how people look for support. In Asia, stigma, concern for face and family expectations already make seeking help hard, especially for men. It is still unclear whether AI helps people reach professional care or replaces it. This scoping review maps the published research on AI and mental health help-seeking in Asia, with a particular focus on men, and identifies where the gaps are. Its findings will shape the design of an AI companion tested in two later trials with Malaysian men.

• Method: JBI scoping review, reported with PRISMA-ScR, protocol registered on OSF
• Sources: English-language peer-reviewed journal articles, 2015 to 2026
• Team: Brendon Ban Ren Jie (PI), Assoc. Prof. Dr Lau Poh Li (supervisor), two research assistants
• RA role: training and screening in November, data charting in December
• Outputs: UKM conference presentation in early January 2027 (tentative); journal submission before Chinese New Year 2027

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Brief Proposal

Research Assistant Intern