Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: Supporting Youth in a Digital World

Mental Health Awareness Week is a time to reflect on what shapes young people’s wellbeing today and how we can better support them. As technology continues to evolve, one of the biggest influences in youth life right now is artificial intelligence (AI).

This year, we’re taking a closer look at how AI is impacting youth mental health, not as a simple good or bad, but as something more complex. Recent research shows that AI can both support and challenge young people, depending on how it is used and what supports are in place around them.

AI and Youth Wellbeing: A Complex Picture

AI is already deeply part of how young people learn, create, and connect. For many, it opens doors. For others, it introduces new pressures.

Among youth who actively use AI to build skills and explore opportunities:

• 83% feel optimistic about the future
• 76% say their life feels meaningful
• Only 19% report symptoms of depression

These numbers show the potential of AI as a tool for confidence, creativity, and growth.

At the same time, there are clear challenges:

• 57% say AI increases pressure to be productive or perfect
• 71% worry about job replacement
• 35% feel pressure to keep up with new tools

AI can expand possibilities, but it can also amplify stress, expectations, and uncertainty about the future.

Not All Youth Experience AI the Same Way

One of the most important takeaways is that youth are not all experiencing AI in the same way. For some, especially those facing financial challenges, AI can become a source of emotional reliance. Youth in these situations are four times more likely to be highly engaged in emotionally intense ways with AI compared to their peers .

At the same time, some youth are choosing not to use AI at all. And that choice is intentional.

• 81% avoid AI due to ethical concerns
• 80% do not want to become reliant on it
• 77% are concerned about privacy

Interestingly, these youth often report strong wellbeing overall, with high levels of life satisfaction and emotional support. This reinforces an important point: AI is not the determining factor in mental health. The environment around young people matters more.

What This Means for Supporting Youth

The research is clear. AI is not a replacement for human connection. In fact, the most important factors shaping youth wellbeing remain:

• trusted relationships
• a sense of belonging
• guidance from supportive adults
• opportunities to build confidence and agency

When these are in place, AI can become a helpful tool. Without them, it can become overwhelming or isolating. This is where mentorship plays a critical role.

The Role of Mentorship in a Changing World

At Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, we see every day how consistent, caring relationships support young people as they navigate challenges, including those shaped by technology.

Mentorship provides something AI cannot:

• real human connection
• guidance rooted in lived experience
• a safe space to ask questions and explore uncertainty
• encouragement to build confidence at their own pace

As AI becomes more present in young people’s lives, these relationships become even more important.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a reminder that supporting youth means understanding the world they are growing up in. Today, that includes AI. The goal is not to remove technology, but to ensure young people have the support they need to use it in healthy, balanced ways. By pairing innovation with strong human connections, we can help youth build confidence, navigate uncertainty, and feel supported in shaping their future.

Become a Volunteer Mentor

You can play a role in supporting youth mental health. By becoming a mentor, you help create the kind of consistent, supportive relationship that makes a lasting difference in a young person’s life.

Learn more about becoming a volunteer mentor at bigsisters.bc.ca/become-a-volunteer-mentor or contact us at info@bigsisters.bc.ca.

*Insights and data referenced in this blog are drawn from the Youth Mental Health Tracker: Generative AI Report (2026) by Surgo Health.