With more and more school districts grappling with the mental wellness of their students, an innovative startup, Sonar Mental Health, has offered an engaging solution. Sonny, a reassuring ally that Sonar has added, fortifies the student support network.

As highlighted by the Wall Street Journal, Sonny is a smart chatbot, powered by a blend of AI and human intelligence. When students contact Sonny with problems, the AI suggests solutions, but the human team behind Sonny ultimately decides what to say.

Sonar began its first school collaboration in January 2024, marking a significant milestone. Currently, it provides its services to over 4,500 high school and middle school students across nine districts. A dedicated team of six individuals, with expertise spanning psychology, social work, and crisis-line support, oversee all discussions taking place on the platform.

Sonar's CEO, Drew Bavir, shared with the Journal that although Sonny isn't a licensed therapist, it's designed to assist students with guidance. Sonar's professional staff collaborates closely with parents and schools to direct students to professional therapists when the need arises.

A key aspect making this strategy particularly attractive to school districts is the prevailing shortage of counselors - a concern so significant that about 17% of high schools function without a counselor, according to the Education Department.