In the last 2 years there has been a 25% increase in the number of people who told the google assistant that they were sad. The technology giant reported that, from September 2019 to date, the number of users who express to the smart speaker that they feel lonely has doubled. And this only in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries.
Google ensures that the increase in queries on topics related to the anxiety, the depression and the loneliness was notorious during the pandemic. For this reason, the application of Google Assistant added new features to provide emotional support to users who require it.
The development team implemented new and better answers to questions about mental health and emotional well-being.
The virtual assistant can now offer more useful and personalized information, as well as relaxation exercises, meditation and other activities. It also shares other techniques, tips and advice, all validated by certified therapists from Safespace.
“We found that in addition to commands to set alarms and play music, many people also told Google Assistant that they felt sad and lonely. That’s why we decided to create answers that give them quick access to information, especially when they need it most,” he said. Maia MauGoogle Assistant Marketing Leader for Latin America, in a statement.
This tool was created for those who need immediate support, such as during a panic attack or depressive spike. Answers are designed to make it easy to quickly access useful information when you need it most.
It should be noted that this artificial intelligence (AI) It is not intended, in any way, to replace the help of a professional. If necessary, you should seek the advice of a mental health specialist who can attend to your particular case.
This is how the Google Assistant can help when you feel bad
For now, the answers to contribute to the mental health of users are only available in Spanish.
All you have to do is talk to the assistant through voice commands like “ok Google, help me relax”, “ok Google, give me a breathing tip”, “ok Google, let’s meditate” and the like. You can also tell them directly how you feel or what kind of help you are looking for, for example information, therapists or specialist clinics.
So, thanks to its AI, the Google Assistant can give more empathetic answers, suggestions and slightly generic advice, such as:
“Thank you for sharing it with me, being honest about your feelings is a big step. I have been researching how to deal with sadness and I have some advice that could help you, would you like to hear it?
“I’ve read that joining a class or group activity, even online, can be a great way to meet people and provides a sense of belonging.”
If you are in Mexico, remember that you can call the Line of life enabled by the Ministry of Health (800 911 2000) if you feel that your emotions are overwhelming you or you need to talk to someone who can guide you.
Editorial Team The editorial team of EMPRENDEDOR.com, which for more than 27 years has worked to promote entrepreneurship.