Without well-being there is no real victory

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There are many elite athletes who have shared and made visible their own situations and mental health problems in the face of the demands of a sport that puts 100% of their physical and emotional capabilities. 

“I never would have thought I would get mentally ill from a sport I loved so much.”

Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, New Zealand rugby player.

“For me at the time, the expectations were much higher than the level I was at at the time. The pressure got the better of me, the anxiety overcame me.”

Paula Badosa, tennis player number 8 in the world ranking.

“I continue to go to therapy because I need to fix myself. Eventually, life teaches you that depression and mental illness can affect anyone.”

Andrés Iniesta , Spanish soccer player, World Champion 2010.

“I could put on a happy face in public, but behind the doors, I was having crises that no one knew about.”

Michel Phelps, Olympic swimmer.

Sport as a daily exercise practice is undoubtedly one of the best allies of mental health, however, taken to extreme levels – and without adequate socio-emotional development -, it can become the biggest rival of mental health.

When you end up straining the muscle without training it and training it breaks down, so does the psyche.

Essential training: mental health

The importance of mental health is one of the most current issues of our generation. And it is no less so in a context in which we live in a continuous level of high demand; where stress, pressure, concentration and expectations are the daily bread.

Athletes internalize from the first training session that they must work hard to arrive, to win, to reach the goal, the record. At the same time, it is important to differentiate virtues such as perseverance, hard work, resilience and self-improvement from other types of utopian demands, toxic thoughts and vitiated attitudes that endanger mental and emotional health, and therefore sporting performance itself.

Sports mental health is not simply having high emotional resilience in the face of stressful situations. It is a holistic approach: tools, inner mechanisms and mental, social and emotional habits capable of balancing the different dimensions of the person; allowing to perform better in competition and above all generating an integral well-being.

The most widespread problems

“We hear a lot about post-Olympic depression, but I haven’t seen any research on mental health before the Olympics,” comments Zoe Poucher in her research exploring the prevalence of symptoms of common mental disorders among elite Canadian athletes in the wake of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles’ mental health retirement.

According to this study conducted at the University of Toronto, depression, anxiety and eating disorder are the most widespread problems in athletes, with depression being the most significant.

With situations such as depression, it becomes essential to give the necessary importance and space to these mental health issues in the sports career, from training, competitions to the athlete’s retirement.

Facing these types of realities does not by itself enable one to know how to manage them.

Young people cared for, successful athlete

Why not work on and develop prevention and training programs? Do we have to reach the limits of performance to become aware that emotional management and mental health are essential? Why not work with the youth, the children who are just starting to train, the sports clubs?

Working and taking care of the psychic and emotional dimension from the beginning: self-knowledge, mental strategies, concentration mechanisms, stress management, self-esteem, empathy, mutual support, etc. will ensure that in the long term young athletes will be able to reach the highest level in a healthy way, enjoying themselves and without breaking down psychologically.

No sporting success can compensate for the enormous sacrifice of one’s own well-being and personal happiness.

The Impact of AI on Mental Health

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Technology and Humanization

On October 9, during the 10th Conference on Safety and Risk Management in Mental Health held at the Official College of Physicians of Navarra, prominent medical and technology experts gathered to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on mental health care.


The event, organized by Hermanas Hospitalarias Navarra, coincided with World Mental Health Day and provided a platform to reflect on how AI can transform the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

Technological Innovation in Healthcare

The event was inaugurated by Miryam Zabalza, Managing Director of Hermanas Hospitalarias Navarra, who emphasized the importance of technological innovation in healthcare. “Mental health needs innovation and tools that help us offer a more humanized and effective service,” Zabalza stated in her opening remarks. On the other hand, Olga Sala, Deputy Director of Assessment and Services at the Navarre Agency for Autonomy and Development of People, highlighted that “it is essential to use this technology in our research and clinical practice to improve patients’ mental health, always from an ethical and responsible perspective.”

In his presentation, Raymond Salvador, representing the Fundación Hermanas Hospitalarias, spoke about how AI can expand access to medical services in resource-limited areas. “Artificial intelligence opens doors to new forms of care that were previously unimaginable, and we must harness this potential.” Salvador emphasized, underscoring how this technology can ensure greater equity in healthcare, particularly in geographically challenging regions.

Bioethics and Artificial Intelligence

Another key topic addressed during the event was the ethical framework guiding the use of AI in medicine. Rafael Amo Usanos, Director of the Bioethics Chair at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, discussed the challenges and opportunities AI presents from a bioethical standpoint. According to Amo, technology must be used to promote individuals’ well-being and dignity without attempting to replicate or replace human intelligence. “AI should serve bioethics, always fostering human well-being and dignity,” Amo asserted, adding that while technology cannot replace human decision-making, it can guide it in a more informed and precise manner.

Panel Discussion: Building a Creative AI Community

A roundtable discussion, moderated by Pablo Moreno Flores, Medical Director of Hermanas Hospitalarias Navarra, provided a comprehensive view of AI applications in mental health. Participants emphasized the need to build a creative and collaborative community around AI in this field.

Francisco Ferre Navarrete: AI as an Ally for Personalized Care

During the discussion, Dr. Francisco Ferre Navarrete, Head of Adult Psychiatry at the Gregorio Marañón Hospital in Madrid, explained how digitalization and proper AI implementation can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment personalization.

“AI is a fundamental ally for delivering more personalized care, allowing mental health professionals to focus on what truly matters: the patient’s well-being.”

María Beunza: Personality Analysis Through AI

María Beunza, CEO of Human AI Tech, discussed how AI can analyze patients’ personalities. She explained that tools developed by Human AI enable the analysis of socio-emotional skills without traditional tests, offering a faster and more precise approach.


Beunza demonstrated how this technology can assist not only in diagnostic evaluation but also in treatment personalization. Adapting to the emotional and psychological needs of each individual.

“Artificial intelligence doesn’t just complement medicine; it also helps humanize it. Personality analysis can be pivotal in offering more personalized and effective treatments.”

Antonio Rosa Castillo: Practical Applications and Ethical Challenges of AI

Antonio Rosa Castillo, a professor at the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Barcelona, concluded the session with a detailed analysis of AI’s practical applications in mental health, from its origins to current challenges.

“AI has come a long way, but there is still much to do. Healthcare professionals must be prepared and trained to use these technologies effectively.”

Balancing Technology with Human Interaction

A recurring theme was the ethical challenge posed by AI implementation in mental health care. “How can we ensure that the technological tools we design not only improve care but also preserve humanity in every interaction?”
This dilemma underscores the need to design systems that maintain empathy and human sensitivity, especially in delicate fields like mental health.

The challenge is not just technical but also ethical. As AI becomes more integrated into patient care, developing regulatory and ethical frameworks to guide its responsible implementation is crucial. Rosa Castillo urged attendees to consider how to balance technological efficiency with human connection, ensuring AI complements rather than replaces empathetic care.

“AI cannot replace doctors, but it can enhance them as professionals.”

Looking Ahead

The conference concluded with remarks from Sara Chivite, Mental Health Manager at the Navarre Health Service – Osasunbidea. She thanked the speakers for their valuable contributions on AI and mental health. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of ongoing research and discussion about the future of mental health in a rapidly advancing technological world.
“It is imperative to continue working together to ensure AI is a tool that benefits patients and improves their quality of life,” Chivite concluded.

AI has immense potential to revolutionize mental health and many other aspects of our lives. However, as Antonio Rosa Castillo noted, it is vital to maintain a balanced and critical attitude: “This is not about catastrophizing but about using technology responsibly.” AI should be seen as a powerful tool, and it is our responsibility to guide its development to improve lives without compromising humanity.

At Human AI Tech, we firmly believe that artificial intelligence is not just a tool for data analysis but an opportunity to bring human value to healthcare. Mental health requires a comprehensive approach where technology aligns with professionals to make better decisions and deliver more accurate and personalized care.

Scientific Research Line – PersonIA Study

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Human AI at the XXVII National Psychiatry Congress

Prominent researchers and healthcare institutions are conducting the groundbreaking PersonIA Study. This pioneering research, led by Dr. Manuel Martín—Medical Director of Hermanas Hospitalarias in the Basque Country (Aita Menni) and Navarra, and President of the Spanish Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health—aims to validate an AI model capable of assessing personality in individuals with common mental disorders.

The PersonIA Study

This study investigates the accuracy of artificial intelligence when predicting key aspects of personality based on text written by patients’ in natural language. The use of AI in this field is revolutionary, offering faster, less intrusive, and more tailored analyses. Findings from the first phase of the PersonIA study were presented by Dr. Manuel Martín at the XXVII National Psychiatry Congress, cementing Human AI’s role as a key player at the intersection of technology and mental health.

The study was conducted in collaboration with renowned institutions including: the Navarra Health System, the University Clinic of Navarra, Hermanas Hospitalarias in Navarra, and Aita Menni. Researchers from the Affective and Cognitive Psychology Methods and Research Laboratory (MIPAC) and the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute (DATAI) at the University of Navarra also participated in this initial phase. This multidisciplinary team ensured the model was tested on a clinical sample of adults, providing robust results for this first stage.

Promising findings demonstrate the AI model’s ability to deliver accurate assessments in clinical settings, compared to traditional methods such as the NEO-PI-R. These results highlight the potential of PersonIA to revolutionize personality assessment, especially for individuals with mild or common mental disorders.

Purpose and Methodology of PersonIA

The primary goal of the PersonIA project is to validate an artificial intelligence model capable of evaluating personality. It is based on both free-form and guided natural language texts. During the study, participants wrote autobiographical texts and answered questions designed to capture various personality traits based on the OCEAN model.

The AI model leverages advanced natural language processing (NLP) techniques to analyze linguistic, semantic, and contextual patterns in large volumes of text. Preliminary results indicate that the model is valid for predicting personality traits, overcoming some limitations of traditional psychometric evaluations.

Future Perspectives

This breakthrough is just the beginning. As the project moves into new phases, it paves the way for a significant transformation in how personality is assessed in mental health, introducing third-generation tools. PersonIA has the potential to revolutionize psychological and psychiatric evaluations, making them more accessible, comprehensive, accurate, and human-centered.

We are proud of this innovative development. Which combines the best of science and technology to address one of psychiatry’s greatest challenges: providing personalized and humanized care.

To learn more about this scientific research line, stay tuned for our upcoming updates.