It was 2 AM when Emma found herself typing to her AI companion instead of talking to her partner. She’s not alone. With AI therapy apps surging 700% since 2022, nearly half of adults with mental health conditions now turn to algorithms for support. But what happens when your phone understands you better than the person you share a bed with? A reflection on digital validation, human connection, and what we’re really seeking when we choose AI over intimacy.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but what happens when you’re already too depleted to celebrate? A practitioner’s honest reflection on exhaustion, awareness, and what real support actually looks like for Edmonton’s communities.