Calm Harm App Review

What is Calm Harm?

Calm Harm is an app designed in collaboration with clinicians and young people in the UK using scientific, researched based methodologies to reduce the urge to self-harm. The app was developed by the mental health charity stem4 whose mission is to support teenage mental health.

Calm harm desires to keep children safe; it does not collect any personal information and users remain anonymous. They are not a support line or helpline but offer a resource tab with contacts for national organizations that are equipped to help.

The Calm Harm app is not intended to be a substitute for professional assessment and intervention by a mental health professional. It is recommended that at the first sign of self-harm the individual seek professional guidance.

What is Calm Harm used for?

Self-harm refers to when a person hurts their own body on purpose without the intent to kill themselves. Self-harm can take form in a variety of ways and is a maladaptive way to cope with overwhelming emotions. Often self-harm serves to feel something when feeling numb, externalizing the internal pain, and a way to gain a sense of control.

The Calm Harm app offers a readily available replacement to self-harm; it is an interactive platform that follows a 5- or 15-minute rule. The 5-minute rule allows for users to carry out an activity for 5 minutes in 60 second blocks while the 15-minute rule allows the user to carry out an activity for 15 minutes straight. At the end of the activity there is opportunity to assess the experience and desire to self- harm. The App provides a variety of activities to choose from and the activities the user finds most helpful will be kept under the Activity Suggestions tab for easier access.

Who is Calm Harm for?

Calm Harm is for teens aged 13 years and over who have or are currently struggling with self-harm without the intent to end their life.

A Clinicians Review

I first learned of the Calm Harm app while in a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy training. DBT is a skills-based modality that is often used to treat clients living with strong, uncontrollable emotions, self-harm and suicidal ideation.

The Calm Harm app is easy to use and a simple way to distract oneself when the urge to harm becomes significant. When I work with young people who self-harm, a common response is that it is hard to think of something to do instead  of hurting themselves when the emotions are intense.

The app makes finding healthy, alternative actions accessible and the colorful animation provides

a distraction when the world around looks grey. I will often recommend the use of this app as part of the client’s safety plan and in conjunction with ongoing assessment in reduction of symptoms.

I have included, in the resources, the frequently asked questions and recommend reading through prior to use. I must emphasize that the app is to be used in conjunction with professional mental health practitioners and not as a substitute for treatment. The app provides healthy coping alternatives and mitigates symptoms but working with a mental health professional will assist clients in discovering the root causes of distress and move towards lasting change through self-exploration, healing, and acceptance of oneself.

Additional Resources

https://stem4.org.uk/

https://calmharm.stem4.org.uk/faqs/

Crisis Support text line: text SH to 741741

Crisis hotline: call or text 988