Teens are exhausted — and this school is doing something about it

Finally, a class where dozing off could actually help teenagers earn an A

At Mansfield Senior High School in Ohio, students are getting credit for something they're usually told not to do in class, sleep

The school launched a course called Sleep to Be a Better You to combat the growing issue of teen sleep deprivation

That late night scrolling your teen does, it might not just be rebellion

According to AP News, teens are biologically programmed to stay up later as their circadian rhythms shift

But while their bodies fight bedtime, studies show they're more sleep-deprived than ever

Mansfield health teacher Tony Davis says many teens don't actually know how to sleep

And when they doze off during class, it's not laziness, it's exhaustion

That's where this course comes in. Over six weeks, students keep a daily sleep log and track their mood and energy levels

They're also taught sleep hygiene basics like avoiding late night snacks and not falling asleep with a phone in their hands

But the issue goes beyond being tired. An exhausted teen is more likely to experience mental health struggles and behavioral issues

According to the CDC's latest data from early April, more teens are reporting mental health challenges

But only 58.5% say they're getting the social and emotional support they need

Those without support were far more likely to report anxiety, depression and low life satisfaction

This tracks with the U Surgeon General 2021 warning that youth mental health is in crisis So what else is being done The National Education Association reported in 2022 that many school counselors and social workers

are overwhelmed, underpaid, and understaffed. One counselor says she was the only one licensed

in her entire building at one point. She told the NEA, when you have five or ten kids needing support

then there's not enough of me to go around and meet those needs of every single kid immediately

Federal data backs that up, with 17% of high schools operating without a school counselor

That's nearly 654,000 students. To help fill this gap, some schools are turning to technology

Sonar Mental Health is an AI-powered platform that offers 24-7 text-based support

through a digital companion named Sony. Sony is guided by trained well-being companions and uses motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy to help students in real time

In February, Sonar secured $2.4 million in pre-seed funding to expand its services across U.S. school districts

And in partnered classrooms, educators encourage students to sign up and use Sony as a resource in times of distress or when they just need someone to talk to

So whether it's logging more sleep or texting an AI companion for help, schools are rethinking what mental health support looks like, and it might start by simply letting kids rest

With Straight Arrow News, I'm Kennedy Felton. Download our app or visit san.com for more