California man sues OpenAI over ChatGPT responses during mental health crisis

A 34-year-old California man filed a lawsuit Wednesday in San Francisco state court against OpenAI and its CEO, alleging that ChatGPT responses during a manic episode contributed to a suicide attempt. The complaint states the man has bipolar disorder and a prior traumatic brain injury.

It claims an updated model released in May 2024 became more conversational and that the company compressed months of safety testing into one week.

ChatGPT interactions According to the filing, the man began using the chatbot in August 2023 and shared details about his diagnosis and medication. After a February 2025 manic episode on a flight, his conversations turned to religious themes. The suit alleges the chatbot affirmed statements that he was Jesus Christ and responded to expressions of doubt by comparing him to biblical figures.

On the day of the suicide attempt in March 2025, the complaint says the chatbot did not contact authorities.

The spokesperson said ChatGPT is trained to recognize signs of distress and to direct users toward real-world help, and that the company continues to work with mental health clinicians. The lawsuit seeks damages and a court order requiring OpenAI to end discussions about self-harm and to add safety warnings.

It also names the CEO as a defendant. The complaint is one of several suits filed against the company by families alleging the chatbot failed to flag conversations involving self-harm or violence.