Transforming Mental Health Care with Large Language Models: Innovations, Impacts, and Insights (Preprint)

Abstract

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Large Language Models (LLMs) present paradigm-shifting potential in mental health, offering opportunities to streamline clinical workflows and broaden investigative frameworks. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This study reviews recent literature at the intersection of LLM and mental health, categorizes and analyzes different research types, identifies key limitations in current studies, and proposes forward-looking directions for future research. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> We conducted a systematic review of LLMs in mental health research (January 2023-March 2025) by searching seven academic databases using specific keyword combinations related to mental health and LLMs. The selection criteria prioritized peer-reviewed empirical studies, high-quality preprints, and expert analyses while excluding brief commentaries and narrative reviews without systematic methodologies. </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> Our analysis categorized the research into six main areas: machine psychology, diagnosis, treatment, clinical assistants, research and education, as well as applications of multimodal techniques. We found that LLMs, despite their considerable utility, face dual categories of challenges: general technical limitations (including content hallucination and inadequate privacy safeguards),and domain-specific constraints (including suboptimal diagnostic accuracy and limited professional depth in specialized contexts) </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> In response to these challenges, we delineate solutions such as deepening clinical research, applying new technologies, establishing practice guidelines and enhancing interpretability, and propose short- and long-term development strategies. This review provides a systematic framework for understanding the current status and prospects of the application of LLMs in mental health, and promotes the integration of technological innovation and humanistic care. </sec>

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