Get Rid of the Urge to Harm Yourself With These Apps
iOS / Android: According to the Calm Harm app, self-harm is like a wave. He is the strongest in the beginning, but if you ride the wave, it will soon end. Apps are not a substitute for a good therapist, but people who struggle with these crises say the right app does help .
Calm Harm is free for both iOS and Android. It was developed by a UK group that describes itself as a youth mental health charity. More apps are available along the same lines for both platforms, each offering a slightly different approach to support. Calm Harm seems to be a favorite because it offers so many different options – you can press buttons for comfort, distraction, and more – and it keeps a log of when you felt the urge and what triggered it. If you need help, you tell the app if you want to try five one-minute exercises or one 15-minute session. Some typical tips:
- Think of a comfortable place and think of all the nice things you do when you are there.
- “Put some fake tattoos where you hurt. Remind yourself to do one comforting thing every time you see them. ”
- “Think about the lyrics of a song that you know well. Try repeating it cover to cover. “
- “Call someone to comfort you and talk.”
Besides Calm Harm, pay attention to:
Self-healing (iOS and Android): The app offers you a randomly selected activity: now (“write the words on yourself in red marker”) or in the long term (“plan for the future: vacation, weekend, work or curriculum”). There is also a button that leads to a library of motivational memes and cute pictures, and another for information on how to deal with the urge to self-harm.
Mood (iOS): This isn’t just for self-harm, and it doesn’t help you manage your mood. He just asks you what they are. Choose whether you feel good, good, or bad, and then you can tag your mood (lethargy, rage, ?, etc.) and add a note if you like. The app generates a report on the mood you experience most often and can remind you at set times of the day to record your mood. Android also has tons of mood apps, or try Daylio , which tracks mood and daily activities on both platforms.
What’s up ( iOS and Android ): This is an app designed for all types of mental health crises. If you click the Help Now button, you can choose between a breathing exercise, a random game of Name 5 Things (for example, name the five green objects around you) and a Disaster Gauge where you can rate what is bothering you. ranging from “everything in life is perfect” to “everything fell apart, and it seems that this is all your fault.” There is also a link to forums where you can talk to others.