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Introducing Trusted Contact in ChatGPT

OpenAI Blog · 2026-05-07

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Topics: mental-healthai-safety-featureschatgpt-featuresuser-wellbeingcrisis-intervention

Claims

  • OpenAI is introducing 'Trusted Contact,' an optional feature allowing adults to nominate someone to be notified if automated systems detect a serious self-harm risk in their conversations.
  • The feature extends existing parental safety notification capabilities to all adults over 18 globally.
  • Every notification to a Trusted Contact undergoes trained human review before being sent, with a target review time of under one hour.
  • Notifications share only the general reason for concern and do not include chat transcripts, preserving user privacy.
  • The feature was developed with input from 170+ mental health experts and organizations including the American Psychological Association.

Key quotes

Psychological science consistently shows that social connection is a powerful protective factor, especially during periods of emotional distress. Helping people identify a trusted person in advance, while preserving their choice and autonomy, can make it easier to reach out to real-world support when it matters most.
One of AI's biggest promises is how it can foster authentic human-to-human connection and psychological safety.
Every notification undergoes trained human review before it is sent, and we strive to review these safety notifications in under one hour.