New Akron Childrens Hospital partnership gives teens mental health support 24/7 via app [Video]

AKRON, Ohio – It’s no secret the number of teens experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression is on the rise. The percentage of high school students feeling sad and hopeless has increased significantly from 28 percent in 2011 to 42 percent in 2021, according to Centers for Disease Control research.

To better help adolescents with mental health support, Akron Children’s Hospital has partnered with Woebot Health to make an artificial-intelligence powered mental health support tool available via doctor referral for patients ages 13-17. The AI app, Woebot for Adolescents, is designed to work with therapy, according to a hospital news release.

Initially, the support tool will be delivered via doctor recommendation to patients at three primary care pediatrics offices in Ashland and Stark counties that screen for depression or anxiety during annual wellness visits. Later, the tool will be available via doctor recommendation to patients across Akron Children’s 44 primary care pediatrics offices, the hospital …