Alongside is a wellness platform for K–12 schools, with self-guided tools for students in grades 4–12 and a separate self-help platform for educators and school staff. Students can confidentially chat about challenges at any time and receive clinically informed techniques based on CBT, DBT, ACT, and mindfulness. They can also track moods, set goals, journal, watch mindfulness and social-skills videos, and complete personalized exercises. The platform says its support covers more than 50 common concerns, including friendships, self-esteem, and anxiety. Schools can add universal mental health screening and social-emotional competency assessments. School and district dashboards show usage and the concerns causing students the most distress. For detected suicidal ideation risk, Alongside describes a process involving the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, connection to 988, notification of school or district personnel, and safety planning. It says AI is not used for universal screening or crisis severity assessment; severe issues trigger a pre-written safety protocol. Alongside is an educational self-help service, not therapy, treatment, medical advice, or a crisis service, and its screening does not diagnose. Access is available through a browser, iOS, or Android. The service is paid, with some offers providing a trial of up to seven days.
Who it is for
Alongside suits schools seeking self-guided wellness tools for students in grades 4–12 and self-help resources for educators. Its coaching chats, student activities, optional screening, and school dashboards are relevant to school and district communities.
What is good
- Confidential student coaching chats are available 24/7.
- Activities include mood tracking, journaling, goals, and skill-building exercises.
- Support covers more than 50 common concerns.
- Optional screening and school or district dashboards are available.
- Browser, iOS, and Android access is supported.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- The service is not therapy, treatment, medical advice, or a crisis service.
- A free trial of up to seven days may be offered only in some cases.
- Screening does not provide a diagnosis.
Verdict
Schools looking for student self-help, coaching chats, educator resources, and optional screening should consider Alongside. Its central limitation is that it is an educational wellness platform rather than therapy or a crisis service; schools needing those services should look elsewhere.
Get started with Alongside
- Open the Alongside website or download the iOS or Android app.
- Sign in with Clever or a school-issued email address.
- Use the student platform for grades 4–12 or Alongside for Educators.
- Ask about a trial of up to seven days, which may be offered in some cases.
- Contact [email protected] or book a Zoom call for product questions.
Limits to know first
There is no free plan. Some offers may include a free trial of up to seven days; screening does not diagnose, and the service is not therapy or a crisis service.
Questions about Alongside
Is Alongside free?
No. Alongside has no free plan and uses paid monthly or annual subscriptions; some offers may include a free trial of up to seven days.
Who is Alongside for?
The student platform is designed for grades 4–12. Alongside for Educators is for faculty and staff working in education.
Which platforms can I use?
Alongside is available in a modern browser and through iOS and Android apps.
How can students and staff sign in?
They can sign in with Clever or a school-issued email address.
Does Alongside provide therapy or diagnosis?
No. It describes itself as an educational self-help platform, not therapy, medical advice, treatment, or a crisis service. Screening does not provide a diagnosis.
What integrations are listed?
Possible integrated services include Google, Microsoft 365, Clever, ClassLink, and direct integrations with a SIS, portal, or product dashboard.
Compared on AI mental health chatbots
- Free plan
- No
- Guided exercises
- Yes
- Behavioral coaching
- Yes
- Human escalation
- Yes
- Crisis resources
- Yes
- Access platforms
- Web, iOS, Android
