High School Students Launch CheersAI: A Free Mental Health Support Platform

In a notable development for student mental health support, three high school innovators from Eastlake High School in Sammamish have launched CheersAI, a free and user-friendly mental health platform. Co-founders Dhruv Reddy (CEO), Balaji Prasanna Venkatesh (CTO), and Rithvik Rathinasabapathy (CIO) designed the platform to provide simple, accessible support for students during challenging times.

CheersAI addresses three critical issues in current mental health support for high schoolers: accessibility, affordability, and versatility. The platform offers a free, straightforward online portal that is easily accessible to all students. While primarily designed for high schoolers, its universal features make it suitable for anyone seeking support during difficult moments.

The platform's key features include a 24/7 AI therapist that users can connect with via a simple call button, eliminating the overwhelm of complex features. Users can also engage in supportive and interactive chat experiences, utilizing available prompts or asking any questions they need. Importantly, the service is completely free and anonymous, ensuring privacy and confidentiality for all users.

CEO Dhruv Reddy emphasized the platform's simplicity as its distinguishing factor. "We wanted to create something that wasn't overly complicated. The simple chat and call features allow students to talk and share their feelings, which can be a crucial step in getting through low phases," Reddy stated.

CTO Balaji Prasanna Venkatesh highlighted the platform's supportive environment, stating, "CheersAI is designed to foster a supportive environment. We want to make sure that students feel they have a place where they can openly express themselves without fear of judgment."

The creation of CheersAI was inspired by a local tragedy, aligning with the broader focus on mental health and well-being in society. As high school students themselves, the founders have a unique advantage in understanding and addressing the real needs of their target audience. This direct connection to their peers allows them to gather feedback and quickly iterate on the platform, potentially making it more effective than solutions offered by larger companies.

While CheersAI is primarily targeted at high school students, its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of needs. Whether it's a lonely parent seeking conversation, someone with sleep issues wanting to hear a Buddhist story, or any individual needing support, CheersAI aims to be a constant source of help.

The launch of CheersAI represents a significant step in addressing mental health support for students. By providing a free, accessible, and user-friendly platform, these young innovators are contributing to the broader conversation about mental health and potentially setting a new standard for support services.

As mental health continues to be a critical issue, particularly among young people, initiatives like CheersAI play an important role in providing immediate, judgment-free support. The platform's success could potentially influence how mental health support is approached in educational settings and beyond.

For more information about CheersAI and to access the platform, interested individuals can visit https://cheersai.co. The CheersAI team, predominantly composed of high school students, remains committed to maintaining the platform's relevance and user-friendliness, inviting everyone to join them in supporting student mental health.