This mental health chatbot aims to fill the counseling gap at understaffed schools

As faculty districts battle to help the psychological well being of their college students, a startup known as Sonar Mental Health has constructed a “wellbeing companion” known as Sonny to assist.

As described in the Wall Street Journal, Sonny is a chatbot that depends on a mixture of human workers and AI. When college students textual content their inquiries to Sonny, the AI suggests a response, nevertheless it’s people who’re finally accountable for the message.

Sonar signed its first faculty partnership in January 2024 and says it’s now obtainable to greater than 4,500 center and highschool college students throughout 9 districts. The corporate says the chats are at present being monitored by a staff of six folks with backgrounds in psychology, social work and crisis-line help.

CEO Drew Bavir informed the Journal that he makes it clear to college students and colleges that Sonny isn’t a therapist, and that Sonar staffers will work with colleges and fogeys to search out therapists for college kids when applicable.

An enormous cause why this method would possibly enchantment to high school districts is a present scarcity in counselors — the Schooling Division says 17% of excessive colleges don’t have a highschool in any respect.