HELD

Terms of Service and Disclaimer

Last updated: August 1, 2026

HELD — Terms of Service and Disclaimer

If you are in crisis right now, call 988 (USA) or 911. HELD is not an emergency service.

What HELD Offers

HELD is an AI-powered emotional support companion with:

  • 24/7 Availability — Always present when you need to talk, no scheduling or waiting required
  • Privacy and Anonymity — No real name needed. Private conversations in a secure space
  • Persistent Memory — HELD remembers previous conversations and offers personalized responses based on your history
  • Recognition of Common Behaviors — AI recognizes behavioral patterns (procrastination, avoidance, isolation) and offers personalized reflection strategies
  • Judgment-Free — A space where you can be completely honest without fear of criticism
  • Deep Reflection — Structured conversations that support self-awareness and personal growth
  • Exclusive Private Community — Access to an anonymous community of members with similar experiences
  • Complementary Support — Excellent tool to complement professional therapy between sessions
  • Recovery Focus — Specifically designed to support people recovering from depression, anxiety, panic, and addiction

HELD Exclusive Community

The HELD Community is a private and anonymous space where members can:

  • Connect with other members on similar recovery journeys
  • Share experiences without revealing identity (randomly generated names: User_XXXX)
  • Receive peer support — genuine support from people who understand
  • Maintain complete anonymity — nobody knows who you really are
  • Discuss common topics — depression, anxiety, recovery, relationships, work
  • Celebrate progress — share small and big victories

Within the HELD App

  • Anonymous feed with member posts
  • Threads for themed discussions
  • Reaction system (upvotes, hearts)
  • Anonymous direct messages between members (optional)
  • Resource library and articles

Community Moderation

The HELD Community is moderated by qualified professionals:

  • Certified Moderators — Professionals with training in mental health and peer support
  • Active Supervision — Monitoring discussions to ensure safety
  • Response to Violations — Harmful content and rule violations are addressed
  • Crisis Resource Direction — If someone shows signs of crisis, moderators direct them to emergency resources like 988
  • Continuous Training — Moderators receive ongoing updates in mental health best practices
  • Confidentiality — Moderators respect the anonymity of all members

Community Rules

  • Respect and Compassion — Everyone is on a personal journey
  • Anonymity Preserved — Never share other members' identities
  • No Spam or Promotion — This is a space for support, not business
  • Confidentiality — What is shared in the community stays in the community
  • No Medical Advice — Share experiences, not diagnoses
  • Active Moderation — Violations result in warnings, suspension, or bans

Limitations and What HELD Is Not

What HELD is NOT

  • Not therapy or medical treatment — HELD does not provide diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any medical or psychological condition
  • Does not replace professional therapist — Interactions with HELD do not establish a legal therapeutic relationship
  • Not medical or psychological advice — Any insight from the AI is informational, not professional
  • Does not provide continuity of care — HELD cannot provide the structured long-term follow-up that professionals offer
  • Does not replace medication — If you take medication, continue consulting your doctor
  • Not a substitute for crisis hotline — In an emergency, call 988 (USA) immediately
  • Not legally confidential — Unlike a therapist, HELD does not offer professional privilege

Technical Limitations of AI

  • AI may misinterpret context or provide inadequate suggestions
  • AI does not truly understand human emotions — it processes language patterns, not feelings
  • HELD does not detect all crisis signals — automated detection is not perfect, especially for acute suicidal ideation
  • Responses may be generic or not applicable to your specific situation
  • HELD may not recognize subtle signs of suicidal ideation or self-harm
  • Conversations may contain errors, inconsistencies, or technical failures

Clinical Limitations

  • No prescription of medications or medical recommendations
  • No professional diagnostic assessment
  • No real clinical experience with your life context
  • No structured treatment plan (like in therapy)
  • No guarantee of improvement or specific results

Your Responsibility

  • You are responsible for your mental health decisions
  • You are responsible for seeking professional care when necessary
  • You are responsible for not relying exclusively on HELD for crises
  • You are responsible for informing your therapist if you are using HELD

1. Eligibility and Age Requirements

  • Minimum Age: HELD is exclusively for those 18 years or older
  • By using HELD, you confirm you are 18 years or older
  • Parents/guardians are responsible for minors who access the platform
  • HELD cannot be used by anyone under 18 years old under any circumstances
  • You agree to use HELD in accordance with all applicable U.S. and local laws

2. When to Seek Help Immediately

If you are in crisis now, DO NOT USE HELD. Seek help immediately:

USA

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (call and SMS, 24 hours)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741
  • SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (substance and mental health)
  • Emergency: 911

Seek professional help immediately if you

  • Are having suicidal or death thoughts
  • Are experiencing urges to self-harm
  • Are in severe emotional or psychological crisis
  • Are in immediate danger (yourself or others)
  • Have severe symptoms that interfere with daily activities
  • Are getting worse after using HELD
  • Are abusing alcohol or drugs
  • Are experiencing hallucinations, delusions, or loss of touch with reality
  • Cannot take care of yourself or other responsibilities

3. Privacy and Confidentiality

What HELD collects

  • Email and authentication data
  • Conversation history
  • Detected behavioral patterns
  • Platform usage information

What HELD does NOT do

  • Does not require real name
  • Does not sell data to third parties
  • Does not share history with third parties (except by law)
  • Does not offer professional privilege like a therapist

Important — Legal Confidentiality

Your conversations with HELD are NOT protected by professional confidentiality.

  • Data can be subpoenaed (cited legally)
  • If you share risk of harm, HELD may be required to inform authorities
  • Conversations may be reviewed for safety improvements
  • You have no legal right to privacy as you would with a licensed therapist

How Data is Used

  • One-on-one conversations with the AI may be automatically reviewed for safety
  • Community posts are public and can be read by any member
  • No data is sold to third parties for research, marketing, or any other purpose
  • User data is stored only for continuity of care and security

Legal Compliance

  • HELD complies with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
  • HELD complies with CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
  • HELD complies with U.S. federal privacy laws
  • Your privacy is important, but not legally guaranteed

4. Informed Consent

By using HELD, you confirm that you understand and accept:

  • HELD does not replace therapy or professional medical care
  • HELD has technical and clinical limitations you must understand
  • You are responsible for your mental health decisions
  • You will seek professional help when necessary
  • You will not rely exclusively on HELD for crises
  • You are 18 years or older
  • You agree with our Complete Privacy Policy
  • HELD is a wellness complement, not treatment

5. Limitation of Liability

HELD is provided "as is" without guarantees.

HELD is not responsible for

  • Emotional, psychological, physical, or financial harm resulting from use
  • Decisions you make based on conversations
  • Failures in crisis detection
  • AI errors or inaccuracies
  • Data loss or service interruptions
  • Misuse by third parties or hackers
  • Consequences of not seeking professional help

You acknowledge that

  • There is no guarantee of safety, effectiveness, or results
  • You assume all risks when using HELD
  • You will not hold HELD responsible for harm

6. Rights and Responsibilities

Your Rights

  • Right to request data deletion (under GDPR/CCPA)
  • Right to access your history
  • Right to cancel anytime
  • Right to request a copy of your data
  • Right to not receive marketing
  • Right to file complaints

Your Responsibilities

  • DO NOT use HELD as a substitute for medical care
  • DO NOT ignore emergency signs
  • DO SEEK professional help for serious issues
  • DO NOT share third-party information
  • DO NOT use HELD for illegal purposes
  • DO NOT attempt to bypass security or age verification
  • DO NOT use if under 18 years old

7. Acceptable and Prohibited Use

Acceptable Use

  • Process feelings in a safe space
  • Explore thoughts and emotions
  • Practice self-awareness
  • Complement professional therapy
  • Find community and peer support

Prohibited Use

  • As a substitute for medical treatment
  • To seek diagnosis or prescription
  • Share false or harmful information
  • Abuse the platform
  • Attempt to hack
  • Use if under 18
  • Share login credentials

8. Modifications to Terms

HELD may modify these terms at any time.

  • Significant changes will be notified
  • Continued use means you accept new conditions
  • You can cancel if you disagree

9. Termination

You can cancel anytime

  • No penalty or fees
  • Data deleted per privacy policy

HELD can terminate if

  • You violate these terms
  • Illegal or harmful use
  • Hacking attempts
  • For business reasons (with notice)

10. Complaints and Disputes

If you have a complaint about HELD:

  • Email: support@always-beside.com with subject "GRIEVANCE"
  • Or: heldalwaysbeside@gmail.com with subject "GRIEVANCE"
  • Response time: Up to 2 business days
  • Include: Description of the problem, date/time, and any relevant details

We will do our best to resolve your concern. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can request an escalation.

11. Safety Warning

CRITICAL — If you are in crisis NOW, DO NOT WAIT:

  • Call 988 (USA)
  • Go to the emergency room
  • Call 911

12. Contact

  • Email: support@always-beside.com
  • Email: heldalwaysbeside@gmail.com
  • Website: always-beside.com

13. Effective Date

  • Last updated: August 1, 2026
  • Jurisdiction: United States Laws

Executive Summary

HELD is an AI emotional support companion, NOT therapy.

Seek professional help immediately if you are in crisis.

In crisis in the USA? Call 988

THIS DOCUMENT IS BINDING. BY USING HELD, YOU AGREE TO ALL TERMS ABOVE.