As coronavirus leaves people feeling isolated and anxious, chatbots for mental health are finding new users A touch of despondency comes over you when a friend messages: “Missing you so much!
Was looking at our Cubbon Park pictures." It triggers a sense that nothing will be the same again. From pangs such as these to everyday worries about groceries and paralyzing anxiety about falling ill or caring for parents to deep concerns about financial uncertainty, our mental well-being is taking a beating as the coronavirus pandemic spreads.
We are intrinsically social creatures, which makes it hard to cope with social distancing. Virtual social contact can alleviate this to an extent, but it can also add new forms of stress.