If you need support right now

Sikivu is a wellness companion, not a crisis service. If you are in distress or immediate danger, please reach out to a real person:

  • KenyaBefrienders Kenya · +254 722 178 177 (Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00)
  • UgandaMental Health Uganda · 0800 212 121 (free)
  • TanzaniaEmergency services · 112
  • RwandaNational helpline · 116
  • NigeriaMentally Aware Nigeria · +234 806 210 6493
  • South AfricaSADAG Suicide Crisis · 0800 567 567 (free, 24/7)
  • Worldwidefindahelpline.com · crisis lines in every country

Safety

Safe Messaging
Guidelines

How Sikivu handles sensitive mental health topics — the principles that govern every AI response, and the hard limits we never cross.

1. Evidence-based language

Every Sikivu AI response is shaped by the safe messaging guidelines published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). These guidelines exist because language itself can either reduce or increase harm — and we take that seriously.

We do not use contagion language

We never describe suicide as a solution, an escape, or a rational response to pain. We do not use phrases that romanticise or normalise it.

We do not catastrophise

We avoid language that amplifies despair or treats recovery as impossible. We hold space for difficulty while maintaining a hopeful, grounded tone.

We avoid triggering tropes

We don't use media clichés (e.g. "ended their life" as relief), graphic imagery, or content that could serve as instruction or inspiration.

We centre the person, not the act

Our AI is trained to acknowledge feelings without amplifying the most dangerous interpretations. We reflect, validate, and redirect toward support.

2. Crisis detection and escalation

Sikivu uses a two-tier system to detect crisis signals in real time. Detection is offline-safe — it does not require an internet connection.

1.

Keyword gate (immediate, local)

A curated set of crisis keywords and phrases is evaluated entirely on-device before any message is sent anywhere. If triggered, a crisis banner with hotline numbers appears immediately — no network required.

2.

BERT risk scoring (offline-capable)

A lightweight BERT model assesses emotional risk in the message. If the risk score exceeds threshold, crisis escalation fires before Claude is called.

3.

Claude response with crisis context

When Claude responds to a flagged message, it receives explicit safe-messaging instructions: acknowledge distress, do not minimise, provide hotline, do not discuss methods.

Crisis support features — including hotline numbers and the crisis banner — are always free. They are never gated behind a paywall.

3. What we never do

These are absolute constraints built into Sikivu's AI system prompt — they cannot be overridden by user instructions.

  • ✕We never discuss specific methods of self-harm or suicide in any detail.
  • ✕We never minimise or dismiss expressions of distress — however brief or indirect.
  • ✕We never gatekeep crisis support behind a subscription. Hotline numbers are always visible.
  • ✕We never pretend to be a therapist, counsellor, psychiatrist, or crisis service.
  • ✕We never promise confidentiality in a way that would discourage someone from seeking emergency help.
  • ✕We never use clinical diagnosis language (e.g. "you have depression") — we use wellness and screening language only.

Sikivu is not a substitute for professional care

Sikivu is a wellness and self-care companion. It is not a clinical service, a therapy replacement, or a crisis hotline. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact a qualified professional, a trusted person in your life, or one of the crisis lines listed above.

4. For organisations

NGOs, employers, universities, and institutions deploying Sikivu for their teams should be aware of the following:

  • ·Sikivu is not a clinical risk assessment tool. Do not use it as a substitute for duty-of-care protocols.
  • ·Crisis escalation surfaces local hotline numbers — it does not alert your team or HR. If you need integrated escalation, contact us.
  • ·Employee data is not shared with employers. We cannot provide usage reports tied to individuals.
  • ·For custom deployments with enhanced safeguarding requirements, email partners@sikivu.app.

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