ReliefLink

Name: ReliefLink
Author: Emory University

Emory University

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:General Public & EnthusiastsPatients & Caregivers

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App Summary

ReliefLink is a suicide prevention and mental health management app that provides tools for safety planning, mood and thought tracking, coping exercises, and locating nearby crisis support. The associated research describes the app's design as a preventative toolkit and outlines evaluation studies aimed at determining its utility for self-reporting and its impact on perceived access to care. Ultimately, the authors position the app as a technological support to be used in conjunction with standard treatment to help manage suicidal feelings and facilitate continuity of care.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed for a SAMHSA challenge, ReliefLink is a mobile toolkit designed for mental health self-management and suicide prevention. The system facilitates the creation of a personalized profile that stores professional contacts, insurance details, and medication schedules. Core modules enable daily mood and thought tracking, safety plan generation, and access to integrated coping methods, including voice-guided mindfulness exercises. A map-based locator identifies nearby mental health facilities, while an emergency function provides direct links to 911, helplines, and designated counselors.

Evidence & Research Context

The application was awarded first place in the SAMHSA Suicide Prevention: Continuity of Care and Follow-Up Mobile App Challenge.
A published research protocol outlines a study to determine the utility of the app's self-report features for monitoring suicidal ideation, emotional states, and well-being.
The system has been incorporated into research designs as a data collection tool, including a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial with low-income, suicidal African American adults.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is designed for individuals as a supplemental tool to support professional mental health treatment. Its primary utility is to facilitate self-monitoring, codify safety plans, and provide immediate access to crisis resources. The app is not a substitute for clinical intervention or medical care and explicitly directs users to emergency services during an acute medical crisis.

Studies & Publications

3 publications

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Study Protocol

Compassion Meditation and ReliefLink App for Suicidal, Low-Income, African Americans

Kaslow et al. (2020) · ClinicalTrials.gov

Research study planned or in progress; results not yet available

The purpose of this study is to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with low-income, suicidal African American women and men that compares the relative effectiveness of compassion meditation (CM) versus a support group (SG) for (1) reducing psychological distress (suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, and shame); (2) bolstering interpersonal connectedness; and (3) enhancing self-compassion and mindfulness. It is hypothesized that at post-intervention and follow-up, compared to individuals in the SG, those in the CM intervention will endorse less psychological distress (suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, and shame), more interpersonal connectedness, and greater levels of self-compassion and mindfulness.

Study Protocol

ReliefLink: A preventative mobile toolkit for follow-up care of psychiatric patients

Kaslow et al. (2017) · ClinicalTrials.gov

Research study planned or in progress; results not yet available

The aims of this study of ReliefLink application are to determine the utility of ReliefLink self-reports of suicidal ideation, negative emotions, loneliness, subjective well-being, flourishing, mental toughness, positive emotions, learned optimism, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. Additional aims are to evaluate the impact of ReliefLink on perceived access to/usage of care and resources and to explore participant acceptance of ReliefLink as a technological support for standard treatment through human systems engineering of treatment plan adherence and user interview.

In the Media

Award-winning suicide prevention app available on Emory iTunes

Emory professor Nadine Kaslow led the development of ReliefLink to help people at risk maintain mental health daily while minimizing treatment barriers, using mood monitoring and emergency alert features. Kaslow describes the app as "like having your practitioner on your shoulder making sure you're doing okay and sticking to your wellness plan." ReliefLink won first prize in SAMHSA's Suicide Prevention App Challenge and was presented to developers at the White House in 2013.

EmoryRead article

Suicide prevention app awarded $50,000 prize at White House conference

Emory University developed ReliefLink to address suicide prevention, earning recognition through a federal app competition. The app won the $50,000 first prize in an App Challenge sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This achievement was announced in September 2013 following a White House conference.

EmoryRead article