As college districts wrestle to help the psychological well being of their college students, a startup referred to as Sonar Mental Health has constructed a “wellbeing companion” referred to as Sonny to assist.
As described in the Wall Street Journal, Sonny is a chatbot that depends on a mix of human employees and AI. When college students textual content their inquiries to Sonny, the AI suggests a response, but it surely’s people who’re finally liable for the message.
Sonar signed its first college 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 the moment being monitored by a crew of six folks with backgrounds in psychology, social work and crisis-line help.
CEO Drew Bavir advised the Journal that he makes it clear to college students and faculties that Sonny isn’t a therapist, and that Sonar staffers will work with faculties and fogeys to search out therapists for college kids when applicable.
An enormous cause why this method would possibly attraction to high school districts is a present scarcity in counselors — the Schooling Division says 17% of excessive faculties don’t have a highschool in any respect.