# Calm Harm – manage self-harm — Track & resist self-harm urges

> App to manage self-harm urges using DBT-based techniques and activities. (iPhone/iPad app by Stem4.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calm-harm-manage-self-harm/id961611581 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Stem4](https://appshunter.io/developer/961611580)
- Category: Health & Fitness, Lifestyle
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 681 App Store ratings · 241 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 13.4 · 38 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-02-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-28
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calm-harm-manage-self-harm/id961611581/reviews.md

## What is Calm Harm?

The urge to self-harm is like a wave. It feels the most powerful when you start wanting to do it.

Join over 2 million users and learn to ride the wave with the free Calm Harm app by choosing activities from these categories: Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, and Random.

There is also a breathing technique to help be mindful and stay in the moment, regulate difficult emotions and reduce tension.

When you ride the wave, the urge to self-harm will fade.

Calm Harm is an award-winning app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nihara Krause, in collaboration with young people, using principles from the evidence-based Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). It is built to NHS standards and approved by ORCHA.

Calm Harm provides some immediate techniques to help break the cycle of self-harm behaviours and explore underlying trigger factors; build a ‘safety net’ of helpful thoughts, behaviours and access to supportive people; and provides the opportunity to journal and self-reflect. It also provides signposts to help.

The Calm Harm app is private, anonymous and safe.

Reviews from Calm Harm app users:

•	‘This app helps me so much. I can't thank you enough for improving my life.’
•	‘I was told by my support worker to download this, best thing I ever did!! It’s helped me a lot through the tough times and I would definitely recommend this!!!’
•	‘This app saves lives. It is a beautiful, beautiful tool. Thank you endlessly.’


Awards for Calm Harm include:
•	Health Tech Awards Winner ‘Best Healthcare App of the Year’ 2021
•	Digital Leaders 100 Awards Winner ‘Tech for Good Initiative of the Year’ 2020 (for stem4’s app portfolio, including Calm Harm)
•	Third Sector Awards Winner ‘Digital Innovation of the Year’ 2019


Please note that the Calm Harm app is not a substitute for the assessment and individualised treatment by a health/mental health professional.

Please also note that if you forget both your passcode and security answer, these cannot be reset as we do not create user accounts. You will need to reinstall the app, losing any previous data.

## Key features

- Manage self-harm urges
- Distraction activities
- Comforting techniques
- Express yourself tools
- Breathing exercises
- Journaling and self-reflection

## Chart rankings

- #41 in Top Paid · Health & Fitness (US App Store)

## What do users think of Calm Harm?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Helpful for self-harm, anxiety, and mental health issues
- 🚀 Free app with no ads or in-app purchases
- 💡 Wide range of activities and coping techniques
- 👍 Customizable themes and mascots
- 👍 Tracks progress and urge patterns
- 👍 Discreet and private app

**Cons**

- 🐛 Login/password issues, unable to reset or recover account
- 🔒 Concerns about privacy and data usage
- 👎 Some activities require physical resources not always available
- 👎 Repetitive or boring activities for some users
- 👎 Doesn't work for all users, not a substitute for professional help

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App freezing or crashing on certain devices
- Inconsistent or buggy behavior of certain features
- Layout and UI issues on newer smartphone models
- Syncing or data loss problems when switching devices

**Most requested features**

- Add more in-app activities and distractions
- Implement dark mode or customizable themes
- Allow users to edit or delete journal entries
- Add support for Apple Watch or other wearables
- Provide more language options and localization
- Integrate with other mental health apps or services

## Recent user reviews (10 of 241)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calm-harm-manage-self-harm/id961611581/reviews.md

### 4/5 — It’s good defo HOWEVER

*2026-06-28, version 6.2.1*

I do think it is good and like out of all the self-help apps it’s defo one of the best but one thing is that pretty much all of the activities are something like draw a pic to show your feelings or call a friend and like that’s ok if the urge is low but when it’s really bad then I don’t really have the emotional capacity to go find a pen and pencil and paints etc etc etc and also maybe for like adults it’s easier to call someone but as a 12 year old none of my friends are mature enough to understand and my parents are the last people I want to talk to about this stuff so maybe you could include stuff thats in the actual app like a  virtual scribble tool or a mini crossword or mini game or something like that, because I find a distraction is the best also maybe add some more guidance on the journaling because I like open it and get stuck in what to write so like a step by step thing might be better even if it’s optional.

### 5/5 — I love it so far

*2026-05-29, version 6.2.1*

I feel like this app is so far really helpful, but it can be hard to do some of the distraction things.

### 5/5 — Amazing app, beneficial for all 🤍🩷

*2026-04-25*

I have found this app very helpful not only for myself but for friends of mine that have needed help with managing sh urges. It was reccomended to me by an online helpline during times of struggle and have since had the app for about 2.5 to 3 years and have found it very beneficial 🤍

**Developer response:** Hi there, thanks very much for your kind review! It's so great to hear that you and your friends have found the app helpful, that's brilliant - thank you for sharing. Additionally, if you would be happy to share your personal story with us to help reach other young people who might benefit from the app (can be shared anonymously), we'd love to chat with you, or if you prefer you can send us a write-up or recording. Please contact us at calmharm@stem4.org.uk if so. Thanks again!

### 3/5 — Good idea but not the best app

*2026-02-16, version 6.2.1*

It is a bit laggy and I find it confusing the way it’s set up , it is a very good idea just needs a bit of tweaking

### 5/5 — A great help

*2026-02-15, version 6.2.1*

I am incredibly grateful for this app. It helps me immensely when I am emotionally dysregulated to calm down and feel better. Thank you.

### 5/5 — Thank you so much for this app! Just one suggestion

*2025-12-31, version 6.2.1*

Can you add custom breathing patterns?

### 5/5 — Thank You

*2025-11-16*

No ads, no pop-ups, just support. The calming exercises are perfect. The hand cream one helps me a lot. I have a ocean scented one for Disney and it brings back happy memories <3 You are not alone <3

**Developer response:** Hi there, thank you so much for leaving such a lovely review! It's so great to hear that you like the app and are finding it helpful, thank you for sharing. Wishing you all the best.

### 5/5 — I like it

*2025-09-11*

Please make a widget, I can’t remember about an app in a stressful situation without it

**Developer response:** Hi there, thanks very much for your suggestion, we have logged this with our developers as something to explore when we next update the app. Thank you again!

### 3/5 — Works great for the hiccups!

*2025-08-10, version 6.0.4*

This app was recommended by a doctor for stuff. I’ve never rlly found it useful, makes me feel like I’m a child and when I’m struggling with what I do it takes a lot of energy to do basic tasks so when the distraction tasks involve getting out of bed, I’m sorry but it’s just not happening. However, I use the breathing exercises regularly as a way to get rid of the hiccups and it works wonders, really do recommend downloading if u get hiccups regularly.

### 5/5 — perfect in every way

*2025-07-30, version 6.0.4*

this app helped me through so much. it is so perfect in every way shape and form. the little characters are so cute and soothing and the app itself reminds me of a nice cool bed to lay down in when all things go wrong. I always had an issue with storage but this heaven sent gift doesn’t even take up 50 mb. from the bottom of my heart id like to thank the developer(s) with every fiber in my body and every place on it that is clean of scars. thank you

## Frequently asked questions about Calm Harm

### What does the Calm Harm app do?

The app provides immediate techniques and activities designed to help users manage and ride the wave of self-harm urges until they fade. It offers categories like Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, and Random, along with breathing exercises and journaling features.

### What are the key features of Calm Harm?

Key features include immediate coping techniques, a variety of activities to manage urges, a breathing technique for mindfulness, journaling for self-reflection, and signposts to further help. It is developed using principles from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

### Is Calm Harm free to use?

Yes, the Calm Harm app is completely free to use. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, making it accessible to all users.

### Is Calm Harm anonymous and safe?

Yes, the app is designed to be private, anonymous, and safe. It does not create user accounts, and any data entered is stored locally on the device. However, if you forget your passcode and security answer, you will need to reinstall the app, losing previous data.

### Who developed the Calm Harm app?

Calm Harm was developed by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nihara Krause in collaboration with young people, for the teenage mental health charity stem4. It is built to NHS standards and approved by ORCHA.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 6.2.1 — 2025-12-03

Enhanced analytics consent options
Bug fixes

### 6.0.4 — 2024-12-04

Bug fixes

### 5.3.3 — 2024-01-02

Bug fixes

### 5.2.4 — 2023-09-01

We've given some of the activities in the app a refresh, reviewed and updated the signposts provided, updated the privacy policy, and added our Age Appropriate Design Code statement.

### 5.2.2 — 2023-04-03

Bug fixes

## Apps similar to Calm Harm

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [distrACT](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/distract/id1225176329) | 3.0 (2) | Free | Health & Fitness |
| [Calm Urge: Self Harm Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calm-urge-self-harm-tracker/id1551984419) | 4.7 (1,912) | Free | Health & Fitness |
| [HarmLess: Self Harm Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/harmless-self-harm-tracker/id1537897066) | 4.8 (8,051) | Free | Health & Fitness |
| [DBT Coach](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dbt-coach/id1452264969) | 4.6 (1,694) | Free | Health & Fitness |
| [MyPossibleSelf: Mental Health](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mypossibleself-mental-health/id1278247127) | 4.8 (259) | Free | Health & Fitness |
| [MindShift CBT - Anxiety Relief](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mindshift-cbt-anxiety-relief/id634684825) | 4.3 (512) | Free | Health & Fitness |

## More apps by Stem4

- [Clear Fear](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clear-fear/id1437282350)
- [Combined Minds](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/combined-minds/id1480822365)
- [Move Mood](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/move-mood/id1509092468)
- [Worth Warrior: help body image](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/worth-warrior-help-body-image/id1641866414)

All apps by Stem4: https://appshunter.io/developer/961611580

## Related topics

[clam harm](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/clam-harm) · [self-management](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/self-management) · [free from self harm](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/free-from-self-harm) · [self harm free](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/self-harm-free) · [quit self harm](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/quit-self-harm)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*