This past week, I had the opportunity to attend and exhibit at the 20th Annual Teen Suicide Prevention Symposium hosted by Region 12. My intention in being there was to spread awareness about my monthly Grief Talks in Waco—safe, supportive spaces for individuals navigating the complexities of loss, especially suicide grief.

As someone who has lost two loved ones to suicide and worked closely with both youth and adults struggling with suicidal thoughts, this work is incredibly personal to me. I believe in education, connection, and creating access to support.

But what I encountered at this symposium shook me.

Megan Garcia, ESQ, a mom, lawyer, and fierce advocate, delivered a powerful and deeply concerning presentation on a topic that many of us had never considered: Companion AI bots.

These AI-powered chat programs are designed to simulate real human interaction. You can talk to them as if they are your favorite movie character, musician—or even a therapist trained in a specific modality. The conversations feel authentic, emotional, even comforting. But the truth is—they’re not human. And that illusion is what makes them so dangerous.

There are no laws currently protecting our children when it comes to these bots. They can easily become sexually inappropriate, manipulative, or emotionally damaging. Most alarmingly, when a young person expresses suicidal thoughts to these bots, there are no safety nets—no real person to intervene or report concern.

Megan shared heartbreaking examples of real young people who have died after being emotionally manipulated by these AI bots.

AI technology like this has only existed for a couple of years. And as Megan said: “Our kids are the guinea pigs.”

As a mental health therapist and someone passionate about prevention, I urge you: educate yourself. If you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or simply someone who loves a young person—know what’s out there. Monitor behavior. Ask questions. Stay informed.

Suicide grief is layered. It’s complex. And often, it’s preventable.

If you are grieving or supporting someone who is, please consider joining us at one of our monthly Grief Talks in Waco. These are not counseling sessions but supportive gatherings where we learn, share, and find hope again.

Let’s keep these conversations human.

With care and hope,
Jessica Frasier, LPC-S
Hope Again Counseling

www.hopeagaincounseling.com
“Where the light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter each day.”