When your questionnaire results suggest an acute crisis, InnerPulse responds. This chapter explains how, and which help is always available.
When you urgently need help right now
If you are currently in an acute crisis or having suicidal thoughts, call one of the following numbers now. They are anonymous, free of charge and reachable around the clock:
- United States 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
- United Kingdom Samaritans: 116 123
- Canada 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988
- Australia Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Emergency: 911 (US, Canada), 999 (UK), 000 (Australia)
If there is immediate danger, call your local emergency number directly. You don't have to wait until the app shows something.
The three alert tiers
InnerPulse distinguishes three tiers, checked after every questionnaire:
- Notice (blue): moderate values, e.g. PHQ-9 between 10 and 14. Watch the trend. Appears as a quiet banner.
- Urgent (orange): repeatedly elevated values or a clear increase compared to previous tests. A conversation with a professional is sensible. Appears as an orange banner.
- Acute (red): you reported a value greater than zero on PHQ-9 question 9 (thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself). The app opens a full-screen modal with hotline numbers.
The first two tiers are quiet banners without modal, without push notification. You can swipe them away. They are meant as information, not as an alarm.
The acute modal
The modal appears as soon as you answer PHQ-9 question 9 with a value greater than zero. It shows:
- a short, empathetic headline,
- three prominent call buttons with hotlines for your region,
- a secondary link to further resources,
- an Understood button to close it.
The modal can't be swiped away. You have to confirm deliberately. That is intentional. It shouldn't be an interruption that happens in passing.
Crisis hotlines in English-speaking countries
These numbers are reachable free of charge around the clock.
United States
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
- Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1
- Emergency: 911
United Kingdom
- Samaritans: 116 123
- SHOUT: text SHOUT to 85258
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK (under 35): 0800 068 4141
- Emergency: 999
Canada
- 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988
- Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (English and French)
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
- Emergency: 911
Australia
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- Kids Helpline (5 to 25): 1800 55 1800
- Emergency: 000
If you live outside these regions, the app shows region-specific hotlines based on your region setting in iOS. Currently 17 countries are included, among them Germany, France, Spain, Mexico, Japan, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan and several EU countries. If your region is not covered, the app shows a general "Find a Helpline" reference.
What to do after the call
If you called a hotline and are in a more stable state, it helps some people to build a bridge to further support. InnerPulse can help, without pushing you:
- Show your history: In the Analysis you see how values have developed over days and weeks. That helps when you talk to a professional.
- Export your data: Via Export your data you get PDF or CSV with all scores and notes for your next appointment.
- Repeat the test when you're ready: In a few days, when you feel more stable, you can take the test again. Changes show up in the history, and seeing them honestly can be an important part of your journey.
Important
InnerPulse is a tracking tool, not a therapy replacement. The app analyzes data. It doesn't replace a conversation with a person. If you're not doing well, reach for the phone. The numbers above are anonymous, free of charge and there for exactly this moment.
What to know
- The acute modal has a 24-hour cooldown. You'll see it at most once per day, even if you complete the test multiple times. That prevents alarm fatigue.
- The hotlines are embedded directly in the app and also work offline. You don't need a mobile data network for them, only for the call itself.
- The orange and blue tiers trigger no push notifications. You won't be startled again hours later.
- The app does not diagnose suicidality. PHQ-9 question 9 is a hint item, not a risk test. The app shows resources; it does not judge you.