School and exam stress
Calm your body before a test, make a plan instead of panicking, and stop one bad mark turning into "I'm going to fail everything".
For 13 to 17 year olds
Small steps.
Small steps.
Steadier days.
Exams, friendships, family, your phone, your own thoughts at 2am. SteadySelf helps you calm down in the moment, untangle the thoughts that pile up, and do more of what makes you feel OK.
Private. No ads. We don't tell anyone what you write.
What it helps with
Pick what you want help with
When you sign up, choose what you're dealing with. SteadySelf shows you the tools that fit first, and you can change it any time.
Worry and overthinking
For when your brain won't stop replaying that conversation. Park worries for later, test anxious thoughts, and come back to the here and now.
Confidence and how you see yourself
Answer the mean voice in your head, collect proof of what you're actually like, and test worries like "everyone will laugh" to see what really happens. There's a 4-week course too.
Sleep and feeling low
Wind down at night without scrolling, notice three good things from your day, and plan small things that lift your mood.
What's inside
Tools that take a few minutes, not an hour
Skills that therapists teach, made quick enough to use on the bus, before a test or in bed.
Mood check-ins
Rate how you feel, tag your emotions, and spot patterns, like whether Sunday nights are always worse.
Thought records
Six quick steps to untangle a thought like "everyone thinks I'm weird" and find a fairer one.
Calm-down practices
Breathing, grounding, mindful walking and more, from one minute. Some work with no signal.
Facing fears
Build confidence a step at a time, from putting your hand up in class to going to a new club.
Your space
Private, and on your side
- Nobody reads what you writeNot us, not your parents, not your school. It's encrypted before it's stored.
- Lock it if you wantAdd a passcode so nobody else can open SteadySelf on your phone.
- No streaks, no pressureNo points, no "you missed a day". Use it when it helps.
- You're in controlDownload or delete everything, any time. No ads, and your data is never sold.
If you need help now
You don't have to deal with it alone. These are free and confidential. The Need help now? button on every page shows them too.
- EmergencyIf you're in danger right now or have seriously hurt yourself. You can also go to A&E.999
- ChildlineFree and confidential for anyone under 19, any time, day or night. You can also chat online at childline.org.uk.0800 1111
- Shout: text SHOUT toFree, confidential text support 24/7, if you'd rather not talk.85258
- Papyrus HOPELINE247If you're having thoughts of suicide. Call, or text 88247, any time.0800 068 4141
- NHS 111, option 2Urgent mental health help from the NHS, 24 hours a day.111
- SamaritansTalk to someone any time. Free from any phone.116 123
Numbers are for the UK. If tapping a number doesn't start a call, dial it from your phone.
For parents, carers and schools
What young people get from SteadySelf
SteadySelf teaches practical skills from cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness, in short, age-appropriate steps. It's a self-help tool, not a treatment, and it encourages young people to talk to a trusted adult when things are hard.
- Private by designYoung people need a private space to be honest. Entries aren't shared with parents or schools, and we never sell data or show ads.
- Safety built inCrisis lines for young people on every screen, and a pause with support if something written suggests a risk of harm.
- Easier conversationsYoung people can choose to make a summary to share with you, a school counsellor or their GP.
- Not a replacement for helpIf you're worried about a young person, talk to them, their school or their GP. Young Minds has advice for parents and carers at youngminds.org.uk.
Questions
Things people ask
Is it free?
Yes. There are no ads and nothing to buy. Crisis support, the main tools and your own data will always be free.
Who can see what I write?
Only you. We don't tell your parents, carers or school what you write, and nobody reads it. Your writing is encrypted before it's stored. You can add a passcode so nobody else can open the app on your phone, and you can delete everything whenever you like.
Is this therapy?
No. It's a way to learn and practise skills that therapists use, at your own pace. It doesn't diagnose or treat anything. If things are hard, talking to an adult you trust, your school counsellor or your GP is a really good step, and SteadySelf can help you explain how you've been.
What is CBT?
Cognitive behavioural therapy is based on the idea that what you think, feel and do all affect each other. Learning to notice unhelpful thoughts and test them out, and to change what you do, can change how you feel.
What if something happens and I need help now?
SteadySelf isn't for emergencies, but the Need help now? button on every page lists people who can help straight away, like Childline (0800 1111), Shout (text SHOUT to 85258) and 999. If something you write suggests you might be in danger, the app pauses and shows you these before saving anything. It can't contact anyone for you.
How old do I need to be?
13 or over. When you sign up, you give your month and year of birth, and if you're 13 to 17 you get a version of SteadySelf made for your age. When you turn 18 it switches to the full version, and everything you've saved stays.
Do I need to download anything?
No. It works in any browser on your phone, tablet or laptop. Add it to your home screen and it opens like any other app. Some breathing and grounding practices even work without signal.
Start with one small step
Make a free account and try your first check-in. It takes less than a minute.
Start freeFor 13 to 17 year olds. Works on any phone, tablet or laptop.