Nominet, the profit with a purpose company best-known for managing the .UK domain namespace has supported the development of the innovative app, which features a mood tracker that allows people to record how they feel. It recommends evidence-based coping techniques based on how you’re feeling, as well as activities that others have found useful when experiencing similar feelings.
The app represents a significant milestone for the charity’s digital programme. It is the organisation’s first digital-only service available to everyone, which aims to provide an easy way to access trusted digital resources based on techniques shown to help people with their emotional health.
The launch of the app has been brought forward in the hope that it will prove a valuable tool for those observing social distancing, facing prolonged isolation or lacking the privacy to make a call to the helpline.
Samaritans’ Digital Transformation Partner Nominet has provided over £328,092 in funding (including employee fundraising) for Samaritans’ digital programme in addition to expertise in supporting the development of the new app.
Samaritans has worked collaboratively with users, researchers and clinicians to develop features which are safe, helpful and easy to use. It is hoped the tool will help Samaritans support people who may struggle to identify and talk about their feelings as well as those who want to work things through on their own for a time.
Samaritans’ listening service is still available for anyone who is struggling to cope, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland said: “We're pleased to be able to launch our new self-help app and provide another channel of support for people during this challenging and worrying time. We know that the need for digital resources to support our mental wellbeing has never been greater, particularly when access to face-to-face support services and networks might be limited."
Ellie Bradley, MD of Registry & Public Benefit at Nominet said: “The major public health challenge we are all facing has brought into sharp focus the importance of making this self-help tool available as soon as possible, particularly for those who find their emotional health under increasing pressure and who find it difficult to talk about it. Thanks to the tenacity and agility demonstrated by the team at Samaritans to set it live, we hope the tool will prove invaluable to anyone struggling either through prolonged isolation, lacking the privacy to make a call to the helpline, or indeed if they prefer not to speak to someone at all.”
