The AI Integration Matrix: A Framework for Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming mental health care by enabling new approaches to monitoring, prevention, diagnosis, intervention, and relapse prevention. Yet, digital mental health tools introduce a range of complex challenges, spanning clinical, ethical, regulatory, technical, and contextual dimensions. A person-centered, developmentally informed approach is needed to ensure AI innovation leads to improved outcomes. This paper proposes the AI Integration Matrix (AIM), a framework for the responsible development and implementation of AI in mental health care. It integrates, builds on, and extends current regulatory, implementation science, and ethical frameworks. The Matrix offers systematic, context-sensitive guidance across seven interdependent domains: (1) clinical grounding and application, (2) ethical integrity and trust, (3) regulatory and economic sustainability, (4) user experience, (5) social and cultural impact, (6) evidence and continuous learning, and (7) technical foundations. It provides a holistic foundation for evaluating and optimizing digital mental health innovation across diverse settings and populations and equips users with a mental model for navigating the complexity of digital mental health applications, supporting responsible AI integration that drives meaningful impact.