Calm Harm is a free, clinical-developed mental health app for teenagers that provides DBT-based activities to manage self-harm urges.
Product velocity
Steady
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#19
▼2Health & Fitness · paid
Sentiment
4.3
3k reviews
Nemesis
DBT Coach
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 Resiliens Inc.
This is the only direct competitor that specifically targets Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills for self-harm and emotional regulation.
- Provides structured, curriculum-based DBT skill training rather than just ad-hoc distraction tasks.
- Includes comprehensive tracking for specific DBT diary cards to monitor emotional progress over time.
- Offers a specialized focus on clinical skill-building that goes beyond simple urge-surfing techniques.
MindShift CBT - Anxiety ReliefContender
Bearable - Symptom TrackerContender
Daylio Journal - Mood TrackerContenderUnlock 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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