CheersAI, an innovative mental health support platform developed by high school students from Eastlake High School, is now live. The platform, created by co-founders Dhruv Reddy (CEO), Balaji Prasanna Venkatesh (CTO), and Rithvik Rathinasabapathy (CIO), seeks to offer a simple and accessible way for students to find support during challenging times.
Inspired by a local tragedy, CheersAI aims to provide a supportive space for students, free from the distractions and complexities of high-tech features. This initiative aligns with the broader focus on mental health and well-being, making its introduction especially meaningful.
CheersAI's features are designed to be straightforward and user-friendly. Users can connect with a non-judgmental AI therapist 24x7 by simply clicking a call button, eliminating the overwhelm of complex features. The platform also offers an interactive chat experience, where users can utilize available prompts or ask anything they need. Importantly, CheersAI is free and anonymous, ensuring complete privacy and confidentiality for its users.
The co-founders emphasize the platform's simplicity and effectiveness. Dhruv Reddy, CEO, explains, "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. It's this simplicity that sets us apart from other platforms." Balaji Prasanna Venkatesh, CTO, adds, "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." Rithvik Rathinasabapathy, CIO, notes, "Our goal was to create a resource that felt approachable and impactful."
CheersAI addresses three major obstacles in current mental health support for high schoolers: accessibility, affordability, and versatility. By providing a free and straightforward platform, CheersAI ensures that all students have access to support. The platform's cost-free nature eliminates financial barriers, ensuring no student is left without support. Additionally, while primarily designed for students, CheersAI's versatile features can support a wide range of needs, from lonely parents seeking conversation to individuals with sleep issues wanting to hear a Buddhist story.
One of CheersAI's unique strengths is its direct connection to the community. As high school students themselves, the founders have direct access to their peers, allowing them to gather feedback and iterate on the platform quickly. This unique advantage enables them to understand and address the real needs of their target audience more effectively than larger companies.
CheersAI's team, predominantly composed of high school students, is dedicated to maintaining the platform's relevance and user-friendliness. They invite everyone to join them in supporting student mental health by visiting CheersAI's website at https://cheersai.co.
