School districts are facing increasing pressure to provide sufficient mental health resources for their students. In light of this challenge, a start-up known as Sonar Mental Health has created Sonny, a “wellbeing companion” designed to offer support where traditional counselling services fall short.
Sonny operates as a chatbot, employing a blend of artificial intelligence and human oversight. When students communicate their questions or concerns via text to Sonny, the AI generates suggested responses. However, the final message is carefully reviewed and approved by trained professionals. This hybrid approach aims to provide timely assistance while ensuring the quality and appropriateness of the support provided.
Sonar established its first partnership with a school in January 2024. The company reports that Sonny is now accessible to over 4,500 middle and high school students across nine districts. A team of six individuals with expertise in psychology, social work, and crisis intervention monitor the interactions. This team ensures that students receive informed and empathetic guidance.
CEO Drew Barvir emphasised the importance of transparency, clarifying to both students and schools that “Sonny isn’t a therapist.” He also noted that Sonar staff will collaborate with schools and parents to identify suitable therapists for students when necessary.
The current shortage of counsellors contributes to the appeal of Sonny’s approach for school districts. The U.S. Education Department indicates that 17% of high schools lack a counsellor entirely.
With limited access to traditional mental health resources, innovative solutions like Sonny can play a crucial role in filling the void and ensuring students receive the support they need. Sonny can help identify students who require additional assistance and connect them with appropriate resources, such as therapists or other mental health professionals, by offering an accessible and readily available point of contact.