From sci-fi to high school: Staten Island school to use holograms in $500k student mental health studio

A Staten Island high school plans to use cutting-edge hologram technology to bring in therapists for students, aiming to make mental health services more accessible. After three years of planning, Ralph R. McKee Career and Technical Education High School will open a $500,000 studio dedicated to student wellness. The space, created in partnership with the S.I.C.

Film School, will feature a private room where students can speak with therapists through a "holographic device" projecting life-sized 3D images. The studio also includes a relaxing area with beanbag chairs and a podcast recording space, as well as a stage for students to create their own holograms. This innovative approach comes as concerns grow about the impact of technology on adolescent mental health, with declining rates of youth mental health in New York City over the past decade.

The school secured funding and support, though questions remain about the operation of virtual therapy services and student privacy. Principal Gregory Bowen believes the technology can help students "deescalate" and refocus during the school day.