Mental Health Disclaimer

Last Updated: January 2025

Important Notice

Virtual Companion is an AI-powered emotional support service designed to provide companionship and a listening ear. It is NOT a substitute for professional mental health care, therapy, or medical treatment.

Not a Licensed Professional

Virtual Companion is an artificial intelligence system. It is:

• Not a licensed therapist, psychologist, or counselor
• Not a medical professional or healthcare provider
• Not capable of diagnosing mental health conditions
• Not able to prescribe medication or treatment plans
• Not a replacement for emergency services

When to Seek Professional Help

Please contact a mental health professional or crisis service immediately if you:

• Are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Are experiencing a mental health crisis
• Have symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions that interfere with daily life
• Need professional diagnosis or treatment
• Are in an abusive or dangerous situation

Crisis Resources

If you are in crisis, please contact:

• United States: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
• United Kingdom: Samaritans (116 123)
• China: Beijing Mental Health Crisis Hotline (010-82951332)
• International: Find a Helpline

Limitations of AI

While Virtual Companion uses advanced AI technology to provide empathetic responses:

1. It cannot truly understand human emotions - AI processes patterns in language but does not experience feelings
2. Responses may be inaccurate or inappropriate - AI can misinterpret context or provide unhelpful suggestions
3. It lacks clinical training - The AI is not trained in evidence-based therapeutic techniques
4. It cannot provide continuity of care - Conversations may not build on each other like therapy sessions
5. It may not recognize all warning signs - Crisis detection is imperfect and should not be relied upon

Your Responsibility

By using Virtual Companion, you acknowledge that:

• You are using this service for general emotional support and companionship only
• You will not rely on Virtual Companion for mental health treatment
• You will seek professional help when needed
• You understand the limitations of AI-based support
• You are responsible for your own mental health decisions

Privacy and Confidentiality

While we implement security measures, please be aware that:

• Virtual Companion is not bound by HIPAA or similar healthcare privacy laws
• Conversations may be processed by AI systems
• We recommend not sharing highly sensitive personal information

No Medical Advice

Nothing provided by Virtual Companion should be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals for:

• Mental health diagnoses
• Treatment recommendations
• Medication questions
• Crisis intervention
• Any health-related concerns

Agreement

By using Virtual Companion, you agree to this disclaimer and understand that the service is provided for emotional support and companionship purposes only. If you do not agree with these terms, please do not use our service.

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Remember: Your mental health matters. Virtual Companion is here to provide support, but professional help is available when you need it. You are not alone.

Contact Us: If you have questions about this disclaimer, please email support@virtualcompanionai.com