Missouri
AI Chatbots and Mental Health: Missouri Expert Warns of Rising Teen Use – Missourinet
Artificial Intelligence or AI is everywhere, even in mental health care.
With demand for services soaring and resources stretched thin, it sounds like the perfect solution.
But after headlines about chatbots causing harm, is AI really safe?
MU Health Care psychiatrist Dr. Arpit Aggarwal told Missourinet that for many people, AI can be the first point of contact when they’re struggling.
“But it’s not at a place yet where it’s ready to replace a professionally trained therapist in human or person therapist,” said Aggarwal. “And that’s why it’s the concern. It might be a good tool to start your process with, but it cannot replace a human therapist.”
Dr. Aggarwal said some safeguards have been put in place.
“ChatGPT which is one of the bigger players here they recently announced a new policy in which if they determine at their end that their risk for suicide they would automatically get them some help from a like a human,” said Aggarwal.
Could artificial intelligence ever replace a human as a therapist?
Aggarwal (told Missourinet that it is a very tough question to answer.
“Psychiatry and psychotherapy, it’s very highly dependent on empathy, reading emotions and most of the AI are more language models,” said Aggarwal. “So as of now, there’s nothing which can say that they can replace the human therapist in the near future.”
Dr. Arpit says using AI as a therapist is becoming more common, especially among teens—and that trend is raising serious concerns.
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A fundraiser on Friday helped raise money for a mid-Missouri family’s effort to get their daughter medical treatment.
Hurts Donut from Springfield, Mo., traveled to Ashland to help the Kroeckel family raise money for their daughter, Harper’s, life-changing medical treatment in Italy.
“After exhausting available treatment options in the United States, the family is now pursuing specialized care that offers new hope for her future,” wrote the Hurts Donut shop in a press release. “Because the treatment, travel expenses and extended medical stays are not covered by insurance, the family is facing more than $85,000 in out-of-pocket costs.”
Harper had been born prematurely at 35 weeks and admitted to the NICU, where a nurse discovered a spot that they assumed to be diaper rash on her bottom. However, further inspection led to her diagnosis of Capillary Malformation-Arteriovenous Malformation, or CM-AVM.
CM-AVM is a genetic mutation at the cellular level that causes blood vessels in certain areas to be tangled, causing swelling, pressure, chronic pain and, in some instances, bleeding. In Harper’s case, it could potentially spread to her spine or brain.
The donut shop set up shop at the Ashland Optimists Club and donated 100% of its Special Tribute donut sales to the Kroeckel family, as well as 10% of the proceeds from its dozen donut sales.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 28 drawing
Midday: 0-7-2
Midday Wild: 1
Evening: 9-9-6
Evening Wild: 7
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 28 drawing
Midday: 4-5-0-4
Midday Wild: 9
Evening: 1-4-6-7
Evening Wild: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 28 drawing
Early Bird: 04
Morning: 07
Matinee: 09
Prime Time: 06
Night Owl: 15
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from June 28 drawing
05-08-12-33-34
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Missouri
UPDATE: Well-known mid-Missouri attorney charged after sting expected to request home detention | 93.9 The Eagle
A prominent mid-Misssouri attorney has pleaded NOT guilty to a felony charge of enticement or attempted enticement of a child.
56-year-old Daniel Walter Follett is charged in Boone County Circuit Court. He had served as the Missouri Department of Revenue’s (DOR) general counsel until he was fired after last week’s arrest.
Court documents filed by Boone County prosecutors say Follett was allegedly using a prostitution website “to solicit sexual services from a person whom he believed to be a 16-year-old child.” The Boone County Sheriff’s Department’s probable cause statement says Follett allegedly arrived at an address in Boone County last week to pay money to have sex with a female whom he believed was under the age of 17.
Follett, who is currently jailed without bond, is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon before Judge Kimberly Shaw and is expected to request home detention, based on online court records.
939 the Eagle News contacted the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) after Follett’s arrest. DOR released a statement about Follett’s arrest and status last week. It reads: “The Department is aware of an out-of-office incident involving a staff member who was arrested and charged with criminal activity. Following departmental procedures, employment has been terminated with the individual.”
What’s next: Follett is scheduled to appear in Boone County Circuit Court on Tuesday at 1 pm for a bond hearing before Judge Kimberly Shaw. Follett is represented by defense attorney Jessica Caldera, a former Boone County assistant prosecutor. Follett is expected to request home detention from the court until his trial. Boone County prosecutors have described Follett in a court filing as a flight risk.
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