Calm Harm is a tool that helps kids with tendencies to hurt themselves manage their destructive urges. It comes with six modes (i.e., Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, Breathe or Random) that kids can choose from to help them by simply selecting the “Ride the Wave” option. Each activity can be set to last for five or ten minutes. After each exercise, the learner can enter a report in the datasheet that is compiled at the end of the week for more comprehensive assessments.

Website: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id961611581

What Users Love About the App

“Overall Calm Harm provides users age twelve and older an experience that encourages them to shift their mindset to activities or tasks that are intended to distract them from self-harming behavior. These activities and tasks are representative of mental health frameworks and engage the user to develop a stronger sense of self and reflect on relationships, accomplishments and health coping mechanisms.”

“CalmHarm was exactly what I needed. It’s saved me from countless anxiety attacks and calmed me down when I couldn’t rely on anyone. Nothing but love for this app. To anyone who needs this—deep breaths. You will get through this.”

“This is a wonderful concept. I think my favorite part about it is that the activities have categories. For instance, very few health apps have a “distract” solution. This is often one of the most important ways to help someone in the moment. Thank you for being absolute geniuses.”

“I absolutely love everything about this app and If you don’t give it 5 stars idk what tf you’re doing, it’s the best free resource out there and helped me more than my therapist who costs 300$ a visit and my anxiety medications combined, I’ve recommended this to so many people because it’s amazing not only for s*lf h*rm prevention but also works great for stopping my sensory overload breakdowns, it helps stop panic attacks, gives advice, this app really does it all I cannot say enough good things about it, it’s discreet, Easy to use”

“I haven’t used any apps that have helped me wind down. Over all this app is amazing with its different choices to help you wind down. I personally enjoy the release and the breathing options. Those really help me.”

What Users Dislike About the App

“It was giving an error when selecting location so I picked a different location and changed it later in settings. When people want help the last thing they need is an error screen.”

“The app has a really good idea behind it but needs a lot of work. I just tested it out to see how things were recorded and couldn’t exactly find a place that allowed you to document when you self harmed, which is a major issue because when you’re trying to kick a major habit, a slip up should be expected and it’s important to keep them documented.”

“I was excited to see this app because, even though I don’t cut, I do engage in self destructive behavior when my anxiety is high. Unfortunately, my experience with this app wasn’t all that helpful…at least in its current iteration.”

“Very stupid app. I was expecting little games or activities within the app but the whole thing just gives you a list of “ideas” of something to do, all of which are very lame and played out – snap a rubber band on your wrist, hold an ice cube, stretch, make a list, etc. We’ve all heard these suggestions before.”

“What if you can’t remember your memorable word? Ironic, yes, but there are those of us with poor memory who can’t remember what our word was when we first created the account Lord knows when. So when those of us with poor memory are struggling with anxiety or having suicidal thoughts and it is 3AM and you can’t get help because your parents will notice, can’t log into our accounts, then what? Not very calming when you can’t log in.”