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Part 4 of 10

User Feedback

How widely Second Aid has been used, and what people have said about it in their own words.

Since April 2024, people around the world have used Second Aid's core "Help Me Calm Down" exercise during real moments of distress: first as the standalone Help Me Calm Down™ tool, and now as part of Second Aid. This chapter shares how far it has reached and what some of those people said about it.

Reach

Second Aid and its predecessor have been used by people across the world, in their own languages, at the moment they needed support.

  • 80,000+people helped
  • 140+countries
  • 10+languages
  • 2024in use since April

Live, anonymous usage figures are published on Second Aid's Open Analytics page.

What People Said

The feedback below comes from social media, the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. It is shown exactly as it was posted.

Independent discovery. Real-life use. Voluntary feedback. Each person came across the tool themselves, turned to it at a real moment of need, then freely chose to share their experience.

Social Media

Social media post: I was really skeptical, but tried it today, when my BP was up from stress. It works! So grateful to have this tool now to help in these stressful times!
Social media reply: That was AWESOME. Thanks for sharing it. I sent it to a friend recently diagnosed with cancer.
Social media reply: Thank you, I really liked that. I liked how part two helped identify emotions. It was a very soothing, calming and distracting tool. I sent the link to my therapist so she could share it with her other clients. It's really excellent, thanks again.
Social media reply: Your app is a gift. I support family caregivers and will share this with each one. After actively listening, reflect and name their emotions so they feel heard. The app does both and helps release the feeling.
Social media reply: Oh, Hakeem! Thank you! My therapist tried to teach me this for my TBI. To have this handy will help me tremendously. I have several people this will seriously aid. God bless you. I'd give you a big hug if possible.
Social media reply from a nurse educator: Thank you for creating and sharing your app with the world. I will happily share your app with all of my nursing students. May you be blessed for helping others.

Google Play Store

Five-star Google Play review: I have bad anxiety and overthink, get overwhelmed. I had a panic attack but couldn't focus on my breathing. Then I found this app and it instantly worked for me.
Five-star Google Play review: I have rages every now and again related to my life. This app just really helped calm me down before the session was even over. 100000/10. Brilliant app.
Five-star Google Play review: it made me stop crying. thank you.
Five-star Google Play review: This app has really helped me against stress and feeling nervous. It helps with sleeping too. Great app, and the sound mastering is also done quite well; especially with headphones it's calming.
Five-star Google Play review: Downloaded and looked at this; it looks like it's going to be really helpful during an emotionally heightened time like a panic attack. Edit: yep, definitely. I have benefitted from this, thank you so much. I have recommended this to others and will continue to.

Apple App Store

Five-star App Store review, United States, titled Best Breathing Exercise I've Tried: I've downloaded all sorts of meditation and breathwork apps. This one is the most helpful, bar none. It is extremely simple, and it's a three-step process that works. The first few times I was in a pretty bad place mentally. I did feel better when I finished, and I'm gradually fighting myself less.
Five-star App Store review, Spain, titled Easy to use and works: Easy to use, so we don't get further stress while we try to relax, and it actually works. I played it casually as I was working, and after some minutes my anxiety disappeared.
Five-star App Store review, United Kingdom, titled Helps really calm down: When I was super angry, I told all my emotions I felt and it just made me actually calm down. I would say go get this app. I am not a bot.
Five-star App Store review, United Kingdom, titled Amazing: I get stressed a lot because I'm also a kid with a lot of anxiety and stressful sad thoughts in my head, and this app basically just got rid of them all. Every time I get worked up I'm going to use this app. Thank you for helping me get through it.
Five-star App Store review, United States, titled Amazing app: This morning I was rushing to make it to the bus stop and started crying because of how frustrated I was. I'm on the bus now and just finished using this app. Don't be scared to try it around people if it helps you.
Five-star App Store review, United States, titled Best app ever: When I was having an anxiety attack this app helped me get through it. It is so very helpful, I definitely recommend.

Who It Reached

The feedback describes people using the tool in a wide range of situations, including:

  • Panic and anxiety attacks.
  • Rage and intense anger.
  • Uncontrollable crying.
  • Stress and raised blood pressure.
  • Anxiety in young people.
  • Distress in public, such as on a commute.
  • Living with a traumatic brain injury.
  • Supporting a friend after a cancer diagnosis.

Many also shared it onwards: with friends, family caregivers, therapy clients and nursing students.

For how this real-world use has been formally evaluated, see Evidence.