A firm called Sonar Mental Health has created a “wellbeing companion” named Sonny to assist school systems that are having difficulty supporting their students’ mental health.
Sonny is a chatbot that uses both AI and human employees, according to the Wall Street Journal. The AI provides a response when students text Sonny with their queries, but humans are ultimately in charge of the message.
More than 4,500 middle and high school students in nine districts can now access Sonar, which signed its first school relationship in January 2024. According to the company, a group of six individuals with backgrounds in social work, psychology, and crisis-line support are now keeping an eye on the conversations.
“I make it clear to students and schools that Sonny isn’t a therapist,” CEO Drew Bavir told the Journal, adding that Sonar staff will assist schools and parents in finding therapists for students when necessary.
The current counselor shortage—the Education Department reports that 17% of high schools lack a counselor at all—is a major factor in why school districts might find this strategy appealing.
