Listenwell
Safety and crisis support
If you're in danger right now
Listenwell can't help in an emergency, and nobody is watching your conversations in real time. If you might act on thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or you or someone else is in danger, please contact one of these now.
UK
- Emergency: call 999, or go to A&E
- Samaritans: 116 123, free, any time, day or night (or email jo@samaritans.org)
- NHS 111: call 111 and choose option 2 for urgent mental health help
- Shout: text SHOUT to 85258, free, any time
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247, any time
- Men's Advice Line (domestic abuse): 0808 801 0327
- Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234
South Africa
- Emergency: 112 from a mobile, or 10111
- SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567, any time
- Gender-Based Violence Command Centre: 0800 428 428, any time
Elsewhere: contact your local emergency number, or find a helpline at findahelpline.com.
What Listenwell is
A reflective companion powered by AI. It listens, asks questions, helps you see patterns and options, and draws on well-researched approaches such as CBT, ACT, motivational interviewing and relationship research. Many people find that talking things through out loud helps them feel clearer and calmer.
What it isn't
- It's not a therapist, counsellor or doctor, and it doesn't diagnose or treat anything.
- It's not a crisis service, and it can't call for help on your behalf.
- It's not a person. It's an AI, and it can get things wrong.
How it handles risk
- If something you say suggests you might be at risk of harming yourself or being harmed, Listenwell stops what it's doing, asks about your safety directly and kindly, and gives you crisis contacts for where you are.
- If you answer the mood check-up's question about thoughts of self-harm with anything other than "not at all", the app shows crisis support straight away.
- It notes this in your own session notes, so it can gently check in next time. It doesn't tell anyone else.
- If you describe abuse or coercive control in a relationship, it takes it seriously, won't suggest couples work as the answer, and points you to specialist support.
When to see a professional
Listenwell will encourage you to speak to your GP or a therapist if low mood, anxiety or not coping goes on for more than about two weeks, gets worse, or affects your daily life. In England, you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies without seeing a GP first. In South Africa, SADAG can help you find support.
Check-ups are for reflection, not diagnosis
The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 are short questionnaires that health services use to track mood and anxiety. In Listenwell they help you notice change over time. A score isn't a diagnosis. If a score is in a range where professional help is recommended, the app will tell you so.
Worried about someone else?
If you're worried someone is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 112 (South Africa). Samaritans also support people who are worried about someone else: 116 123.