Calm Harm – manage self-harm
By Stem4
Calm Harm is a free, clinical-developed mental health app for teenagers that provides DBT-based activities to manage self-harm urges.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
Users hire the app for immediate, evidence-based crisis distraction that remains accessible without data or subscription barriers.
For Young people aged 13 and older who need evidence-based tools to manage or resist the urge to self-harm.
What does it look like?
Key features
5-minute or 15-minute guided activities based on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy principles to manage self-harm urges
Self-monitoring section tracking urge strength, common triggers, and active times of day
Full app access without requiring data or WiFi connectivity
How much does it cost?
The app operates on a non-profit model funded by the charity stem4, with no monetization gates or subscription tiers.
Velocity
Steady developmentShow more...
5 versions in history. Development pace: steady.
Who built it?
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads thrilled. Users appreciate evidence-based distraction techniques provide immediate relief for users managing intense self-harm urges.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Evidence-based distraction techniques provide immediate relief for users managing intense self-harm urges
- Inflexible timer settings during breathing exercises create unnecessary pressure for users seeking calm
49 of 49 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Thrilled overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 1 user request, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Calm Harm – manage self-harm
How's the Health & Fitness market?
Calm Harm maintains a stable presence in the Health & Fitness category with a 4.4-star rating across 3,285 total ratings. Its non-profit, ad-free model differentiates it from subscription-heavy mental health competitors, though its ranking volatility suggests a need for more frequent feature engagement.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
By Wired Betterment
Both apps target the self-harm recovery segment with free, passcode-protected tools, creating direct competition for users seeking immediate urge-management support.
- HarmLess offers a personalized toolkit based on current emotional state, while Calm Harm uses fixed DBT-based timers.
- HarmLess provides real-time progress insights and statistics, whereas Calm Harm relies on manual log records.
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Unlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Calm Harm – manage self-harm
Where is it heading?
The mental health category is shifting toward personalized, data-driven experiences that integrate with daily habits, leaving static tools like Calm Harm at risk of stagnation. While the app's clinical foundation provides a stable user base, it must modernize its core interaction model to prevent churn to more flexible, tech-forward competitors.
- Inflexible timer settings during breathing exercises create unnecessary pressure, which forces users to seek alternatives for personalized pacing.
- The latest update added journal entries at any time, which increases session depth and user investment in the recovery journey.
The SWOT
- NHS and ORCHA approval sustains organic install velocity
- DBT-informed methodology functions as a clinical brand moat
- Offline-first architecture ensures reliability during crisis
- Wearable integration for discreet access
- Accessibility improvements for screen readers
- Expanded identity options for inclusivity
Next best moves
Ship flexible timer settings because user complaints flag fixed durations as distracting → improve session comfort
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The app's lack of monetization is its greatest competitive risk…
Read the full takeFeature gaps
Structured DBT diary cards (available in DBT Coach) +2
Since the last report: The app's competitive position is now better defined through sentiment analysis and a formal landscape audit, highlighting a shift from purely clinical praise to specific UX-related complaints regarding timer rigidity.
Bottom line
Users report: Calm Harm holds its category lead through clinical trust and non-profit accessibility, but its rigid UX leaves it exposed to more flexible, data-driven rivals, so revenue growth and retention hinge on modernizing the timer and security controls.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 3 market threats, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
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