Calm Harm - Manages Self Harm
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Calm Harm - Manages Self Harm is a free app that provides teens with dozens of ways to derail self-harm impulses. Five- and 15-minute activities and an in-app timer help users turn their attention to healthier ways to handle emotions and manage impulses to hurt themselves. Created in the UK, Calm Harm also lists resources -- including websites and country-specific hotlines -- that teens can access for further mental health and social support related to depression, self-harm, family problems, and more. Users can also create a personal call list to remind themselves who they know to call when they need support from trusted friends and adults. Note: Apps designed for mental health purposes are best used in conjunction with a mental health professional and aren't a substitute for professional treatment. Read the app's privacy policy to find out about the types of information collected and shared.
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Don't see why common sense made it 13+
Why is it for 12 and over?
What's it about?
To use CALM HARM - MANAGES SELF HARM, select the country where you live, and then set your password. Add optional information (i.e., year of birth, gender, and if you're currently seeking professional help for cutting). Choose a mascot and colors, and read about the "Five Minute Rule" and the "Fifteen Minute Rule." Tap "Ride the Wave" and choose an activity type: Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, Random, or Breathe. After you read options on the activities list and choose one, tap Start to begin the countdown and proceed with the activity. If desired, tap Pause and indicate that the urge has passed or resume the activity. Add people to a contacts list to reach out to for help when needed. Send activity ideas to "Suggest an Activity."
Is it any good?
This app's tools support teens who are trying to rid themselves of the emotional and physical pain of self-harm, and it does it well. Hurting yourself on purpose is a very personal problem with complex reasons, which Calm Harm - Manages Self Harm recognizes ("Since everyone is individual, not all activities will suit you. Please choose the activities that suit you best."). In addition to the excellent pro-social, pro-self activities, this app is very easy to use and pleasant to look at (if a teen balks at the cute characters that accompany the activity choices, they can omit the visuals). Calm Harm's numerous ideas to distract, to express emotions, to calm, and to release anger in combination with the resource lists based on how a teen is feeling make this app a powerful toolbox for struggling teens.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how the Calm Harm - Manages Self Harm app can help teens think of alternatives to self-harm actions. Read through some of the options with your teen and find out what appeals to them.
Talk about the five-minute vs. 15-minute options on Calm Harm. Why would a teen choose five-minute activities? Why 15 minutes?
Review some of the activities with your teen. Even if a teen isn't struggling with self-harm, this app could help provide alternative ways to calm down or relax when overwhelmed by anxiety or anger. For more youth mental and physical health resources check out Common Sense Media's Best Health and Wellness Sites for Kids and Teens.
App details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Skills: Self-Direction: goal-setting, personal growth, self-reflection
Responsibility & Ethics: making wise decisions
Health & Fitness: mental health - Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: December 10, 2017
- Category: Health & Fitness
- Size: 17.00 MB
- Publisher: Stem4
- Version: 3.0
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 8.0 or later; Android 4.1 and up
- Last updated: August 17, 2020
Our editors recommend
For kids who love health and meditation
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.