App eases self-harm urge

A FREE smartphone app aims to stop teenagers from selfharming by teaching them to control the urges through meditative tasks.

The Calm Harm app was developed by psychologist Dr Nihara Krause, founder of mental health charity stem4, to help the one in 12 teenagers in the UK who self-harm.

The app has a series of tasks split into four categories. The Distract category aims to take the mind off the urge by making lists or positive thinking. Comfort suggests tasks such as enjoying a treat and massages, Express asks the user to channel the feelings into activities such as writing. Release provides safe physical alternatives to self-injury, such as squeezing a rubber ball.

Calm Harm is available free on Apple iTunes store and Google Play.