Handling High-Risk Users
How to use Crisis Buddy & triggers responsibly.
therappai includes a built-in safety layer that ensures all AI therapy responses remain supportive, calm, and appropriate — even when users express distress. However, your application is responsible for how high-risk situations are handled in the user interface.
This guide explains how to responsibly support users who may be experiencing severe stress, emotional overwhelm, or crisis signals.
What therappai Detects
Each message sent to therappai is automatically scanned for signs of:
emotional distress
self-harm wording
crisis language
panic, overwhelming stress, or despair
harmful or abusive patterns
Even if these signals appear, therappai will still respond with safe, non-clinical, empathetic language that helps ground the user.
therappai does not diagnose, escalate, or contact emergency services.
Your Role as the Integrator
Your application is responsible for:
how crisis buddy contacts are displayed
whether additional safety options appear
which local/national resources you list
when to encourage the user to reach out for human support
ensuring the interface does not create a false sense of professional intervention
therappai provides supportive AI conversations — not clinical treatment, emergency services, or human supervision.
Recommended High-Risk UX Patterns
Below are responsible, widely-accepted ways wellbeing apps handle moments of crisis or high distress.
1. Show crisis support resources in the UI
When distress signals appear (detected by your own heuristics, low mood entries, or user-triggered help buttons), show options such as:
“Talk to someone you trust”
“Contact your Crisis Buddy”
“Call your local helpline”
“Open grounding exercise”
“Go to safety resources”
This keeps the user empowered and in control.
2. Present Crisis Buddy options calmly
Crisis Buddy contacts should appear without judgement or alarmism.
Example:
Need support? You’ve added a trusted contact who might be able to help.
Provide buttons such as:
“Call now”
“Message contact”
“View contact details”
Avoid automated messages or forced actions.
3. Offer grounding or calming content
When a user appears overwhelmed, suggest content such as:
breathing exercises
grounding tools
mindfulness practices
short CBT/DBT skills
This gives users immediate, low-effort support.
4. Encourage offline help when needed
Use compassionate messaging such as:
“I’m really sorry you’re going through this. It might help to talk to someone you trust, or reach out to a local support service if you feel unsafe.”
Keep the tone supportive and non-clinical.
5. Do not promise professional intervention
Avoid language that implies:
clinical assessment
therapist monitoring
emergency service contact
real-time supervision
Clearly state that:
therappai does not replace professional care
no emergency intervention is triggered automatically
This protects user trust and sets appropriate expectations.
What NOT to Do
To prevent harm or misunderstandings:
Do NOT:
call emergency services automatically
contact Crisis Buddy contacts automatically
claim clinical oversight or diagnosis
allow coaches or employers to access private messages
minimise or dismiss reported distress
rely solely on AI for crisis intervention
Do NOT show messaging like:
“therappai is monitoring your risk level”
“A therapist has been notified”
“Emergency services will be contacted”
therappai is supportive, not supervisory.
How High-Risk Support Interacts With Other Features
High-risk moments can be gently paired with:
Mood Tracking
If the user logs a very low mood, show:
grounding tools
crisis buddy
support resources
Content Library
Recommend:
grounding exercises
distress tolerance tools
calming practices
AI Therapy Sessions
The AI will automatically use a supportive, stabilising tone.
Your UI should reinforce this with safe options.
Example High-Risk UI Flow
Below is a common, responsible approach:
User expresses distress
AI replies with supportive grounding
Your app displays a small panel:
“Talk to someone you trust”
“View your Crisis Buddy”
“Try a calming exercise”
User chooses what they feel comfortable with
App returns to regular features once the user is ready
This keeps control in the user’s hands.
Summary
To handle high-risk situations responsibly:
Use therappai’s built-in supportive responses
Provide clear, gentle crisis-support options
Empower users with Crisis Buddy, not automate actions
Offer grounding content and mindfulness tools
Never imply clinical monitoring or emergency intervention
Protect user privacy at all times
therappai gives users a safe, supportive space — your integration determines how that support is surfaced during difficult moments.
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