Emotional distress icon
Smart Alert category

Emotional distress

Look for early signals of anxiety, withdrawal, or self-harm language so you can check in before things get worse.

Joey monitors tone and phrasing—not just keywords—to surface when a child sounds overwhelmed, checked out, or like they’re masking deeper pain.

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What this alert monitors

  • Detects “I can’t do this anymore,” “no one would miss me,” and other self-harm indicators.
  • Looks for withdrawal markers like “I’m done with everyone” or “just leave me alone forever.”
  • Pairs alerts with context so you can see whether it was a fleeting vent or ongoing struggle.

Coaching next steps

Every family conversation is different. Treat these ideas as starting points and add your own context, values, and tone. Replace the placeholder copy here with your own notes when you build the full guide.

Respond with empathy before offering solutions; teens need to feel heard first.
If language indicates imminent risk, contact local crisis resources and keep a close eye on upcoming syncs.
Encourage journaling or therapy to process big feelings outside of chat apps.

Add screenshots and stories

Drop in Smart Alert screenshots, anonymized transcripts, or founder commentary. Keep each section focused on the real coaching moment parents will face once this alert fires.

Placeholder ideas:

  • Real-world example (scrub all identifying info).
  • Guided script: “When I see this alert I usually say…”
  • Resources to share with teens (helplines, articles, or family agreements).

Keep exploring

See all Smart Alert categories

Each alert has its own landing page with context, scripts, and screenshots. Head back to the Smart Alerts overview to browse every category at once.

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