- Mansfield Senior High School launched a six-week course to address teen sleep deprivation and improve mental health. The program teaches sleep hygiene, tracks students’ sleep patterns and encourages reflection on mood.
- A counselor shortage has left thousands of students without emotional support, worsening the ongoing mental health crisis.
- Schools have started to integrate AI tools like Sonar Mental Health’s Sonny to provide accessible support and bridge resource gaps.
Full Story
An Ohio high school has taken steps to fight teen sleep deprivation in the classroom. Mansfield Senior High School launched a course that teaches students to sleep better and improve mental health.
The “Sleep to Be a Better You” course is a six-week program designed to tackle the increasing sleep issues among teens. It encourages students to monitor their sleep, assess their mood and adopt healthier sleep habits.
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Teens are wired to stay up late, but it comes at a cost
Biological shifts in teen circadian rhythms naturally cause them to fall asleep later than younger kids, The Associated Press reported. But as teens stay up later, they become more sleep-deprived than ever.
Mansfield Senior High School health teacher Tony Davis said many students don’t know how to sleep properly, and when they fall asleep in class, it’s a sign of exhaustion, not defiance.
The course covers sleep hygiene, such as avoiding screens and snacks before bed. Students also maintain a sleep log and reflect on their mood and energy levels.
Sleep affects teen mental health
Experts said sleep deprivation can worsen mental health and lead to behavioral issues in teens.
In April, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that only 58.5% of teens feel they receive the emotional support they need. Those lacking support were more likely to report anxiety, depression and low life satisfaction.
This trend follows the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2021 advisory, which declared youth mental health a national crisis.
National counselor shortage widens the gap
While awareness of teen sleep deprivation and mental health has increased, resources haven’t kept up.
In 2022, the National Education Association warned of an ongoing school counselor and social worker shortage. Many of these professionals reported feeling underpaid and overworked, unable to meet students’ needs.
One counselor, Jessica Kirschner, was the only licensed professional in her building at the time of a February 2024 NEA report. She said, “When you have five or ten kids needing support, then there is not enough of me to go around and meet those needs of every single kid immediately.”
Federal data showed that 17% of high schools do not employ a school counselor, leaving an estimated 653,700 high school students without access to school-based emotional support.
Sonar Mental Health steps in with AI-powered support
Some schools have turned to artificial intelligence to help close the gap.
Sonar Mental Health, an AI-powered mental health platform, offers 24/7, text-based support through its digital companion Sonny. Trained Wellbeing Companions guide Sonny’s responses using motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.
In February, Sonar Mental Health received $2.4 million in pre-seed funding. The company said it will use the money to expand its reach across U.S. school districts.
According to the company, educators in partnered schools prompt students to sign up during class. They’re encouraged to use Sonny during stressful moments or when they need someone to talk to.
Helping teens rest, recharge and reconnect
Teen sleep deprivation is more than a late bedtime — it’s a public health issue. Whether through AI tools or classroom sleep logs, schools like Mansfield Senior High School have taken steps to reconsider how to help students rest, recharge and take better care of their minds.
