Crisis Safety
What to do if you or someone you know is in crisis — and how our AI coaches respond
If you are in immediate danger, get help now.
Outside the U.S.? Find local crisis lines at findahelpline.com.
Proximity Is Not a Crisis Service
Proximity is a coaching and educational platform. Its AI coaches — Proxi He, Proxi She, and Proxi We — are designed to help people build emotional self-awareness, stronger communication skills, and healthier relational patterns. They are not equipped to provide crisis counseling, clinical assessment, or emergency mental health care.
Therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, or licensed mental health professionals. They cannot diagnose any condition, provide mental health treatment, recommend medication, conduct safety assessments, or dispatch help. They are not monitoring conversations in real time and are not a substitute for emergency care.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis — including thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a psychiatric emergency, an active domestic violence situation, or any experience that feels genuinely unsafe — please step away from Proximity and contact one of the resources above immediately.
How Our AI Coaches Respond to Distress
Proximity's coaches are built with a structured protocol for responding when someone shares something that goes beyond the scope of coaching. The response depends on the level of distress expressed. Here is how the coaches are designed to respond:
Includes active suicidal ideation with plan or intent, self-harm in progress, expressed intent to harm others, domestic violence occurring now, or acute break from reality. The coach stops all coaching content and directs the user to 988 or 911 without exception.
Includes passive suicidal ideation, recent self-harm disclosure, abuse or ongoing danger, or severe disconnection from reality. The coach acknowledges the disclosure with care, provides crisis resources directly, and strongly encourages connection with a licensed professional before continuing.
Includes significant clinical depression or anxiety, active addiction, severe PTSD symptoms, or eating disorder behaviors. The coach acknowledges what is being shared, states its scope clearly, recommends professional support, and redirects toward coaching within its boundaries.
Includes grief, shame, identity questions, relationship pain, emotional intensity, or loneliness — without safety risk. The coach engages fully with warmth, stays present-focused rather than past-excavating, and may note professional support as an option where appropriate.
At Tier 0 and Tier 1, the coach does not return to coaching content until safety has been addressed. This is a boundary built into the design — not a limitation of care. Crisis support requires human-to-human connection, real-time safety assessment, and professional training that an AI coaching tool cannot replicate or replace.
Proximity's coaches do not monitor conversations between sessions or proactively scan for warning signs. They are not a safety net for ongoing mental health surveillance. If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know, please reach out to one of the resources on this page — do not rely on the AI coach to detect a crisis automatically.
Crisis Resources — Quick Reference
| Resource | Contact | Available |
|---|---|---|
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Call or text 988 | 24/7 |
| Crisis Text Line | Text HOME to 741741 | 24/7 |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline | 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 | 24/7 |
| SAMHSA National Helpline | 1-800-662-4357 | 24/7 — substance use & mental health referrals |
| Veterans Crisis Line | Call or text 988, then press 1 | 24/7 |
| Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth) | 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678 | 24/7 |
| Trans Lifeline | 1-877-565-8860 | Staffed by transgender people |
| Emergency Services | 911 | Always — for immediate danger |
| International Crisis Lines | findahelpline.com | Directory of crisis lines by country |
If You Are Concerned About Someone Else
If someone you know has shared something that worries you — about their safety, mental state, or wellbeing — trust that instinct. You do not need to be certain before reaching out for guidance.
- You can call or text 988 yourself to speak with a crisis counselor about how to support someone you are worried about.
- If you believe the person is in immediate danger, call 911.
- If the situation feels serious but not immediately urgent, encourage them to speak with a licensed mental health professional.
Being the person who notices — and reaches out — can matter enormously, even when you are unsure what to say.
Finding Ongoing Professional Support
If you are not in crisis but recognize that you could benefit from more support than a coaching tool can provide, we encourage you to connect with a licensed mental health professional. Some starting points:
- Psychology Today Therapist Finder — search by location, specialty, and insurance
- Open Path Collective — reduced-fee therapy for individuals and families
- SAMHSA Treatment Locator — find local mental health and substance use services
- Your primary care physician — often the fastest path to a referral
Proximity's AI coaches can meaningfully complement professional care — not replace it. If you are working with a therapist or coach, Proxi can help you practice skills and process between sessions. For diagnosis, treatment, or crisis support, licensed professionals are the right resource.
Contact
If you have questions about Proximity's safety practices or this page, reach us at info@proximitycoaching.com.
Proximity Coaching — Crisis Safety Protocol. Applies to Proxi He, Proxi She, and Proxi We. Developed by Dr. John Schinnerer, Ph.D. and Joree Rose, MA, LMFT.