In the midst of a challenging internship earlier this year, 21-year-old Keshav* faced significant mental distress. He recalls a particularly disturbing incident while returning home from work. ‘I came across a dead rat and felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to pick it up and eat it,’ he shared. Given that Keshav has always been a vegetarian, this thought was particularly alarming. This and similar experiences prompted him to seek help, not from a traditional therapist, but from an AI-driven mental health tool. With the increasing pressure of modern life, especially among the youth, AI applications in mental health care are becoming more commonplace in India. These digital tools often offer immediate advice and coping strategies during bouts of mental stress or confusion. Despite their rising popularity, experts caution against relying solely on these AI solutions. They argue that while AI can provide preliminary support and bridge gaps in mental health accessibility, it is not a substitute for professional human counseling. The effectiveness of AI lies in its ability to offer immediate, albeit temporary, relief in moments of need, not in providing a comprehensive treatment plan, which requires a more nuanced, human approach.