Meet Sammy the Robot Seal: Easing Minds and Boosting Mental Health in Kent

In Kent, a new robot seal named Sammy is being tested to see if it can help people feel better during mental health appointments. Sammy is a soft, white robot with big eyes, and he looks and acts like a real seal. He can move his flippers and tail, open his eyes, and make seal noises. The Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is using Sammy to help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable when they come in for their appointments. Many people find it hard to talk about their feelings, especially in a clinical setting, but the doctors hope that Sammy will make it easier for them.

Dr. Sharna Bennett, who works at the trust, says that even though Sammy cost six thousand pounds, he could be very helpful for patients who do not always get the support they need. She explains that some people feel overwhelmed in a clinic, which makes it hard for them to talk about what matters to them. Sammy is designed to help people feel more settled and engaged, so doctors can focus on their needs. Sammy is about the same weight as a small child and responds to touch, sound, and movement. He is being used as a non-medical way to make appointments more comfortable and focused on the patient.

Consultant psychiatrist Jo Rodda says that Sammy can help patients talk more openly, similar to how pet therapy works. She believes that Sammy can help build confidence and trust between patients and doctors. Another consultant, Vesna Jordanova, thinks that Sammy could be especially useful for people with autism. People with autism often have trouble communicating and may not have many treatment options. Dr. Jordanova says that the robot seal can help them feel connected and make it easier for them to take part in therapy. The doctors hope that Sammy will help them learn more about how to support people with autism and improve mental health care for everyone.