Pelago

AI is changing the therapist-client relationship whether mental health providers are ready for it or not. Despite most general-purpose AI chatbots not being built for therapy, people are already turning to them for mental health support. That puts a new responsibility on providers to figure out how AI can be used safely and effectively, without compromising the human connection at the center of care. The evidence so far points toward a human-in-the-loop model: purpose-built AI that can expand access and reinforce care, while keeping clinical judgment and human connection at the center.  Pelago Chief Scientific Officer Suzette Glasner, Ph.D. spoke with Newsweek about what this means for the future of mental healthcare. Read more from Dr. Glasner in her latest Newsweek feature: https://hubs.la/Q04tyLrS0.

“I can confidently say, since starting, I don’t think my life is as centered around alcohol.” — Crystal, Pelago member. Thank you, Crystal, for letting us share your story. Click here to explore more stories of healing from Pelago members: https://hubs.la/Q04tcS990.

We just wrapped up our 2026 Client Advisory Board in Maine, bringing together some of our most forward-thinking clients in Vacationland to collaborate, strategize, and discuss how we can continue improving the experience for every Pelago member. The week was filled with thoughtful conversations, a client appreciation dinner and awards, and plenty of Maine summer fun, from s’mores by the fire to a lobster boat excursion followed by a fresh lobster dinner. 🦞 Thank you to the clients and partners who continue to collaborate with us and move our mission forward. Click through for some highlights!

Substance use remains one of the country's largest behavioral health challenges, affecting millions of people across every age group and community. While alcohol use disorder has declined since 2021, tens of millions of Americans continue to need support. Effective treatment exists. Getting it to more people, earlier in their journey, remains the challenge.

Today is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities experience the highest alcohol-related death rates in the United States, a stark reminder of the inequities that continue to shape health outcomes. It's important to recognize that substance use does not affect every community equally. Expanding access to evidence-based, culturally responsive, and virtual care can help more people receive support, regardless of where they live. Today, we honor the Indigenous lives lost to addiction, and reaffirm our commitment to improving access to care for all communities.

One of the biggest questions about AI in healthcare is safety. As our co-founder, Yusuf Sherwani, M.D., says in this clip: it should be. When developing Sona, our AI mental health specialist, safety considerations were front and center. Sona was developed alongside our clinical team, with clinicians reviewing escalations and stepping in whenever human support is needed. Before launch, we also put Sona through dedicated safety testing to evaluate its ability to identify people who needed immediate clinical attention. The early results are encouraging: • 13% of participants in a Phase 1 study exhibited suicidal ideation and were successfully identified by Sona's detection and escalation protocol • The average time from detection to clinician outreach was just 11 minutes • In a 4-week pilot, the percentage of members reporting frequent distress fell from 41% to 28% These results reflect what can happen when AI is designed with clinical oversight, clear escalation pathways, and patient safety at its core.  Read more about Sona's early safety data in the comments, and watch Yusuf discuss our approach in the full Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast interview: https://hubs.la/Q04s6Tql0.

According to the latest survey from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experienced a mental illness in 2025. That's 54.6 million people. For employers, the takeaway is clear: behavioral healthcare can no longer be treated as a reactive benefit. The future of care is helping people engage earlier and connecting them with the right level of support before they reach a crisis point.

More people than ever are turning to generative AI for mental healthcare. In fact, Harvard Business Review found that the top Gen AI use case in 2025 and 2026 was therapy/companionship, up from #2 in 2024.  The problem with this? General purpose AI was not designed for this, making it unsafe and unsuitable.  Our solution? Sona.  Sona is a voice-first AI mental health specialist designed specifically for mental healthcare, unlike general-purpose AI. Sona was built with safety in mind, and early outcomes show that it’s successfully helping change members’ lives for the better. Click here to learn more about how Sona is helping make a safer future for AI care: https://hubs.la/Q04rJCHt0. 

What makes a benefit worthwhile? People actually using it. James Garvie, SVP of Total Rewards at Pelago Client Southern Company, shares how Pelago’s convenient, confidential care helps drive strong engagement and clear ROI among members.

People are still being treated with one-size-fits all solutions for mental health despite varying needs. Our answer to this problem? Sona. Watch to see Sona in action, and click here to learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04rm6nd0.