Don't panic

The versatile self-help app 'Don't Panic' is designed to assist individuals coping with various mental health challenges. It encompasses a range of interactive modules targeting depression, anxiety and panic attacks, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, mood monitoring, eating disorders, and a directory of professional help resources.

For those dealing with depression, the app offers valuable features such as the 'What Can Help Me' section, which suggests activities that might uplift users, including exercise and meditation. The 'Activity Planner' encourages setting and managing achievable goals, while 'What Made Me Happy' helps reflect on the positive aspects of their day, promoting a more optimistic outlook.

When confronting anxiety and panic attacks, Don't Panic provides helpful breathing exercises, such as deep and box breathing techniques, to aid in immediate calming. It also employs simple math equations to divert attention from anxiety-inducing thoughts, alongside other suggestions for managing anxious feelings.

The self-harm module aims to offer distractions and coping strategies, presenting alternatives to self-harm and providing breathing exercises to alleviate intense emotions. The software encourages engaging in creative or physical activities to help dissipate the urge to harm oneself.

Addressing suicidal thoughts, the game acts as a supportive resource, prompting users to consider various reasons and activities that imbue their life with value. An 'Emergency Plan' feature allows users to draft a proactive guide for critical moments, including contact details of trusted individuals and safe activities to resort to in crisis.

For guidance to professional support, the game curates a comprehensive list of emergency contact numbers, hotlines, crisis centers, and chatroom links for those preferring text-based communication.

Emphasizing accessibility, 'Don't Panic' is developed as an open-source tool, with the source code readily accessible for interested users. With its multifaceted approach, it empowers users to navigate difficult emotions and provides immediate tactics for crisis intervention and mood regulation. It is a valuable asset in the mental health toolkit, offering solace during turbulent times or a structured plan for personal resilience.