A new report examines how teens are handling stress, relationships, and emotional well-being—and how schools can support them, according to an article in K-12 Dive.
Alongside, a clinician-designed, AI-assisted mental health platform for K-12 schools, just released its second annual Pulling Back the Curtain on Youth Mental Health Report. It culls more than 250,000 anonymized chats and activities completed by students this school year.
The use of unregulated AI companion bots used by students for social engagement and mental health support has sparked increasing national concern, as recently reported by Common Sense Media. The data indicates both the urgency and the opportunityfor schools to respond with safe, evidence-based solutions.
Key findings from the report:
Across all ages, genders, and locales, balancing activities and schoolwork is the most common issue for students – and they don’t think adults in their life understand.
Sleep is one of teens’ top struggles – of the 250,000+ activities and chat sessions teens voluntarily engaged in on Alongside, 23% were related to challenges with sleep.
About 50% of relationship-related chats suggest feelings of loneliness or exclusion.
The stigma around mental health is decreasing. Teens today associate “mental health” with taking care of yourself to cope with everyday challenges, rather than focusing on mental illness.
Opening up to an adult feels uncomfortable for many students. A confidential, AI-assisted tool designed by clinicians holds strong appeal.
More than 40% of students using Alongside voluntarily share a summary of their chat sessions with their school counselors. This is despite the preference for an anonymous and confidential space to first explore their challenges.
“I go on Alongside to get help with situations or problems I have with friends,” says Texas high school student Katelyn Schultz. “It’s a venting space to get everything out without stress or worry.”
Alongside is the only evidence-based tool of its kind developed exclusively for use in K-12 school systems. “When used responsibly in partnership with schools, AI can provide meaningful support for students’ everyday challenges while keeping students connected to a safety net when more severe needs arise,” says Dr. Elsa Friis, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, researcher, and behavioral health advocate and Head of Product & Clinical at Alongside.
The Pulling Back the Curtain report also includes research conducted by Northwestern University that reinforces Alongside’s effectiveness across different levels of need:
General Student Population (Tier 1)
- 92% of students say Alongside’s AI guide, Kiwi, helps them handle a daily stressor
- 86% of students feel more prepared to handle emotional challenges
Students with Clinical Mental Health Concerns (Tier 2)
- 25% of students with clinically significant anxiety no longer met diagnostic criteria after use
- Symptoms of hopelessness decreased from baseline to 3 months
Students Facing Severe Issues (e.g., Suicidal Ideation, Self-Harm – Tier 3)
- 76% of high-risk students reported no suicidal ideation after 3 months of using Alongside
- 2% of students were identified and connected to school staff for support
The report reinforces how schools can provide a clinically grounded, school-connected, and student-centered solution that meets young people where they are—without compromising safety or accountability.
K-12 Dive
