Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Local Wisdom in Mental Health Services: A Literature Review on the Synergistic Role of AI and Psychologists in Indonesia

Abstract

Unequal access to psychological services in Indonesia has heightened the urgency for more inclusive mental health support. This study aims to examine the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting psychologists and counselors and to analyze how the integration of local wisdom enhances the effectiveness of technology-based mental health services. This study employs is a literature review of publications from the past ten years that discuss the use of AI in mental health, the role of professional psychological practice, and Indonesian cultural values such as gotong royong and pantun petuah. The findings indicate that AI can be effective in providing psychoeducation, early symptom screening, and basic emotional support, while complex clinical and relational processes still require human presence and emotional sensitivity. The literature further suggests that AI designed with cultural adaptation is more acceptable and increases user trust and comfort. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of developing a culturally responsive synergy in which AI extends service reach and accessibility, while psychologists and counselors maintain the depth, meaning, and professional quality of psychological care. This approach supports the development of mental health services that are not only technologically innovative but also culturally relevant and socially grounded within the Indonesian context.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, mental health, local wisdom, psychological services