Archives February 2026

We are excited to share another milestone for RIVRT: our new book, DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth: Use Cases, Risks, and Broader Implications (CRC Press, 1st Edition, Copyright 2026) has been picked up by multiple news outlets and is quickly gaining viral attention online.

Co-authored by Dr. Olive K. L. Woo (clinical psychologist) and Dr. Yuk Ming Tang (AI expert; Principal Investigator of RIVRT), the book examines how AI tools such as DeepSeek can provide scalable, culturally sensitive emotional support—while also highlighting critical risks, ethical concerns, and policy implications for responsible adoption in mental health care.

Featured News Coverage

1) Bioengineer.org (Feb 16, 2026)
Bioengineer published a dedicated feature on how AI innovations like DeepSeek could revolutionize emotional and mental health support for Chinese youth—discussing stigma, access barriers, 24/7 availability, privacy concerns, and the importance of human oversight in AI-assisted care.
Link: https://bioengineer.org/how-ai-innovations-like-deepseek-are-revolutionizing-emotional-and-mental-health-support-for-chinese-youth/#google_vignette

2) RamaOnHealthcare (via Medical Xpress / Taylor & Francis) (Feb 15, 2026)
RamaOnHealthcare amplified a Medical Xpress/Taylor & Francis news piece summarizing the book’s core message: Chinese youth face a growing mental health crisis, and AI tools like DeepSeek may become an accessible “lifeline”—if implemented with care and responsibility.
Link: https://ramaonhealthcare.com/how-ai-tools-like-deepseek-are-transforming-emotional-and-mental-health-care-of-chinese-youth/

3) GeneOnline
GeneOnline also covered the book’s focus on how AI technologies like DeepSeek may help address rising mental health challenges among Chinese youth, extending the discussion to broader public-health relevance and the need for responsible deployment.
Link: https://www.geneonline.com/ai-technologies-like-deepseek-address-rising-mental-health-challenges-among-chinese-youth/

4) Medical Xpress
Medical Xpress published coverage highlighting the book’s themes: the “silent epidemic,” the role of AI-driven emotional support, and the balance between innovation and ethical safeguards.
Link: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-ai-tools-deepseek-emotional-mental.html#google_vignette

5) EurekAlert
EurekAlert! has published an official news release (Taylor & Francis Group) covering our book DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth: Use Cases, Risks, and Broader Implications and the wider discussion around AI-driven emotional support for young people in China.
Link: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1115440

Learn More / Book Link

If you’d like to explore the book, view its table of contents, or share it with colleagues and students.
🛒 Available now from Routledge:
👉 Order the book here

We are proud to announce the release of DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth: Use Cases, Risks, and Broader Implications, co-authored by our Principal Investigator, Ir. Dr. Yuk Ming Tang, in collaboration with clinical psychologist Dr. Olive K. L. Woo.

Published by CRC Press, this timely book offers a unique interdisciplinary perspective on the growing intersection of AI technology and mental health intervention in modern China. It explores how tools like DeepSeek—an emerging AI-driven emotional support system—are transforming the landscape of adolescent mental health care, and provides vital analysis of ethical concerns, social implications, and future directions of AI in mental wellness.

🔍 Key Highlights of the Book:

• A critical discussion of the mental health crisis among Chinese youth, including societal taboos and systemic obstacles.
• Real-life case studies showing how the DeepSeek AI has been applied in practice.
• In-depth insights into the technological underpinnings of DeepSeek and its potential to complement traditional mental health services.
• Exploration of ethical, regulatory, and policy issues surrounding AI-based emotional support.
• Practical guidelines for integrating AI into healthcare responsibly.

🛒 Available now from Routledge (PRE-ORDER: Ships after Feb. 16, 2026):
👉 Order the book here

Whether you’re a mental health professional, policymaker, AI researcher, or public health advocate, this book is an essential read for understanding the complex nexus of technology and human care.

Stay tuned with RIVRT as we explore transformative solutions at the intersection of intelligence, empathy, and technology.