Supporting Student Mental Health with AI-Powered Chatbot
Introducing Sonny, the Wellbeing Companion
As school districts struggle to support the mental health of their students, a startup called Sonar Mental Health has built a "wellbeing companion" called Sonny to help. Sonny is a chatbot that relies on a combination of human staff and AI. When students text their questions to Sonny, the AI suggests a response, but it’s humans who are ultimately responsible for the message.
How Sonny Works
Sonar signed its first school partnership in January 2024 and says it’s now available to more than 4,500 middle and high school students across nine districts. The company says the chats are currently being monitored by a team of six people with backgrounds in psychology, social work, and crisis-line support.
CEO’s Clarification
CEO Drew Bavir told the Journal that he makes it clear to students and schools that Sonny isn’t a therapist, and that Sonar staffers will work with schools and parents to find therapists for students when appropriate.
Addressing the Counselor Shortage
A big reason why this approach might appeal to school districts is a current shortage in counselors. The Education Department says 17% of high schools don’t have a high school counselor at all. This shortage can make it difficult for schools to provide adequate mental health support to their students.
Conclusion
Sonny, the wellbeing companion, offers a potential solution to this problem by providing students with a convenient and accessible way to get help when they need it. By combining AI and human support, Sonar Mental Health is helping to bridge the gap in mental health services and support for students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Sonny?
A: Sonny is a chatbot that relies on a combination of human staff and AI to provide support and guidance to students.
Q: How does Sonny work?
A: When students text their questions to Sonny, the AI suggests a response, but it’s humans who are ultimately responsible for the message.
Q: Is Sonny a therapist?
A: No, Sonny is not a therapist. Sonar staff will work with schools and parents to find therapists for students when appropriate.
Q: How many students can Sonny support?
A: Sonar says Sonny is currently available to more than 4,500 middle and high school students across nine districts.
