Massachusetts murder trial generates dialogue about postpartum mental health conditions

Plus, another lawsuit against OpenAI renewed conversation about generative AI’s mental health risks.

An ongoing murder trial fueled discussion about postpartum mental health conditions and whether warning signs are being missed. Plus, a lawsuit alleging that ChatGPT played a role in a woman’s suicide rekindled questions about generative AI’s mental health risks, and an article on rising autism diagnoses sparked debate about whether autistic people with low support needs have been misdiagnosed and are actually experiencing anxiety.

In light of these conversations, communicators may recirculate maternal mental health resources, highlight the risks of using AI for mental health support, and share mental health resources for autistic people.

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What’s trending nationally in conversations about mental health

An ongoing murder trial against Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts woman accused of killing her three children before attempting suicide in 2023, generated widespread discussion about postpartum mental health conditions, with one top post receiving approximately 4.5 million views as of August 4. After articles highlighted evidence related to Clancy’s mental health and psychiatric treatment, many social media users discussed how postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis may impact behavior. Some commenters wondered if health care providers missed warning signs before the tragedy, and many suggested that postpartum mental health conditions aren’t adequately recognized and treated.

Recent articles and social media posts called attention to a July lawsuit against OpenAI alleging that ChatGPT played a role in an Alabama woman’s suicide after she used the chatbot for emotional support. The lawsuit claims that ChatGPT reinforced the woman’s delusions and encouraged suicidal thoughts before her death. Commenters debated whether AI companies should be held responsible for the mental well-being of people who use their services. Some called for stricter regulations and education about AI’s risks, while others suggested that the woman’s potential underlying mental health condition—not the chatbot itself—was the primary cause of her suicide.

On July 20, the Atlantic published an article discussing the rise in “mild autism” diagnoses. Some researchers quoted in the article suggested that people who show signs of autism and have low support needs may not be autistic and may instead have anxiety or another mental health condition. Social media users who identified as autistic rejected the term “mild autism” and questioned the article’s framing, suggesting that many autistic individuals who seem to have low support needs may be hiding their daily struggles by “masking.” Many argued that the rise in autism diagnoses reflects increased awareness about autism—particularly how it presents in girls and women—while other commenters suggested that autism is a “trendy” diagnosis and supported the article’s claim about misdiagnosis.

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Recommendations for public health professionals

The Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about mental health.

Tragedies potentially related to postpartum mental health conditions often increase online conversation about diagnosis and treatment. Communicators may outline the difference between these conditions, which can be life-threatening, and explain that postpartum psychosis is the most severe and is a mental health emergency. Messaging may encourage people who recognize signs of postpartum psychosis to seek immediate medical care. Communicators may also want to recirculate free and low-cost mental health resources for pregnant and postpartum people, such as sliding scale therapy, support groups, local mental health centers, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, and the Postpartum Support International HelpLine. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline also offers specific support for maternal mental health.

Concerns about AI and mental health are persistent. Ongoing messaging may explain that many popular AI platforms are designed to mirror what users say and feel, and they may not consistently intervene when users show signs of dangerous behavior. Messaging may point to the risks of seeking AI mental health support and reiterate that AI cannot replace a trained human therapist. Sharing free and low-cost mental health resources—including therapist directories, support groups, local mental health centers, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—is recommended.

Conversations about autism provide an opportunity to explain that people with autism exhibit a wide range of strengths, challenges, and support needs and that it may co-occur with mental health conditions like anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Communicators may want to share mental health resources tailored to this community, such as therapist directories where people can find therapists who work with autistic people, support groups, and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, which offers resources for autistic people and their families.