Sonar Wellbeing Coaching for Teens
Text-based wellbeing coaching for Akron Children’s patients ages 13 and older
Akron Children’s is working with Sonar to offer eligible teens an easier way to get support for everyday stress, emotions and coping skills.
With Sonar, your child can text a trained human Wellbeing Coach any time, day or night. Coaches are real people, not chatbots, and support is available 24/7.
Sonar wellbeing coaching is available at no cost to eligible Akron Children’s patients. Talk with your Akron Children’s care team to receive a recommendation to use the app.
Sonar provides text-based support for everyday challenges that can affect a teen’s mental and emotional well-being.
Everyday stress and emotions
- Support for stress, school pressure, sleep concerns, friendships, family stress and big emotions.
Real-life coping skills practice
- Help remembering and practicing coping strategies your child may be learning as part of their care.
After-hours support
- Available after school, at night and on weekends. No appointment is needed.
Related Resources
With Sonar, young people text with trained human Wellbeing Coaches. They are not talking to an AI chatbot.
A real person is there to listen, offer support and help your child feel understood. Technology may help behind the scenes with quality and safety, but each conversation is human-led and coaches are supervised by Sonar’s clinical team.
How Sonar works
- Scan the QR code or visit the link provided by your child’s Akron Children’s care team.
- Complete the setup process.
- Start with one text.
Your child can start with something simple, such as:
“I’m stressed.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Hi, Sonar.”
Sonar will help from there.
Important things to know about Sonar
Sonar is:
- Available at no cost for eligible Akron Children’s patients
- Human-led and available 24/7
- Support for everyday stress, emotions and coping skills
- Private unless extra help may be needed to keep your child safe
- Designed to complement care from Akron Children’s
Sonar is not:
- A replacement for your child’s clinical care team
- Therapy or medication management
- Emergency or crisis care
If your child is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For mental health crisis support, call or text 988.
Related Resources
Who can use Sonar?
Sonar is for eligible Akron Children’s patients ages 13 and older who may benefit from wellbeing coaching for stress, anxiety, sadness, and learning of coping skills.
Is there a cost to use Sonar?
No. Sonar is available at no cost to eligible Akron Children’s patients.
When should my child use Sonar?
Your child can use Sonar for everyday challenges like stress, worry, sleep, school pressure, friendships, family stress or big feelings.
Sonar can also help while your child is waiting for care, between appointments, after hours or practicing coping skills in daily life.
Who is my child texting?
Your child is texting with trained human Wellbeing Coaches, not a chatbot. Sonar’s coaches have experience supporting young people and are trained to respond with warmth, care and clinically informed, age-appropriate guidance. They are supported by Sonar’s Clinical Governance and Safety team.
What happens if my child needs more help?
Sonar has safety steps in place if a Wellbeing Coach is concerned that your child may need more support.
Depending on the situation, this may include connecting your child to crisis resources, contacting an emergency contact or coordinating with Akron Children’s clinicians when appropriate.
Is Sonar private?
Sonar gives young people a private place to start talking. Parents and caregivers do not monitor their child’s messages.
There are limits to privacy. If there is a serious safety concern, Sonar will take steps to help keep your child safe.
Do I need to consent to my child using Sonar?
Parent consent is not required for eligible patients ages 13 and older to use Sonar. Parents can review this page, ask questions during the visit or talk with the Akron Children’s care team before their child gets started. Your child will only receive access after Sonar has been introduced and discussed with an Akron Children’s clinician.
Is Sonar right for your child?
Talk with your Akron Children’s care team if you have questions about whether Sonar wellbeing coaching may be a good fit for your child.
Ready to get started with Sonar?
Take the first step today. Your child can start with a simple text and connect with support when they need it.
Sonar is available at no cost to eligible Akron Children’s patients ages 13 and older.
