FAQs
WHAT IS WHITEFLAG?
WhiteFlag is a mental health movement designed to help people in need of support find immediate connection with people who have been there too. The beating heart of WhiteFlag is our app, a peer-to-peer messaging experience that instantly connects people seeking help with the support they need. Users are matched based on shared experiences and challenges.
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The WhiteFlag movement is dedicated to:
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Acceptance - No judgment, just real people helping people in pain.
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Connection - You are not alone. Above all else, WhiteFlag seeks to connect people.
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Support - Get help and give help. Immediately. Anonymously. Free.
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Healing - Don’t give up. WhiteFlag is a safe space where it’s okay to not be okay.
WHO CAN JOIN WHITEFLAG?
Anyone in the U.S. who is at least 18 years of age. WhiteFlag is an environment of acceptance, connection and support for everyone. It’s a space where it’s okay to not be okay and to discuss the difficult stuff. The app connects users who have self-identified with similar challenges to create connection and understanding based on shared experiences.
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WhiteFlag users manage everything from PTSD and addiction to anxiety and depression, and so much more. You only need to sign up and identify what you’re coping with to get started.
HOW DOES WHITEFLAG WORK?
WhiteFlag is a peer-to-peer-based messaging experience. Upon sign-up, users identify a number of factors that allow the app to pair them with other users with similar experiences and struggles.
Users seeking help need only tap a button to raise their WhiteFlag. Users looking to give support will identify a user looking for help through a Support Someone feature and initiate an anonymous chat. From there, users are left to connect organically. Users who have connected via the Support Someone tab can become friends and stay in touch. Likewise, users can add friends via username.
DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR WHITEFLAG?
No. WhiteFlag is about connecting people to support. The last thing we want to do is create barriers to joining our community. WhiteFlag is free for users, and it always will be.
IS WHITEFLAG RIGHT FOR ME?
WhiteFlag is not an organized program nor a source of specialized support, but it is a place for anyone who needs help. Whatever the challenge, you can find someone with real life experiences on WhiteFlag.
WhiteFlag is not an end all be all mental health solution, but it is a passionate community that complements other sources of support such as therapy, treatment programs and support groups.
If you need help and want to talk to someone who understands, WhiteFlag is for you. If you want to help others, WhiteFlag is for you. If you want to find a community of people who give and get help, WhiteFlag is for you.
HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH WHITEFLAG?
Joining WhiteFlag is simple. Create an account with a username, phone number and password. Then fill in as much information about yourself and your journey that you are comfortable sharing. From there, you’re able to get help or give help — and start connecting.
WHO CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT ON WHITEFLAG?
Anyone. As a peer-to-peer-based app, WhiteFlag welcomes anyone to offer support to people in need. We pair people based on shared experiences and challenges to ensure that there is always someone able to say, “I’ve been there too” — and really mean it.
We understand that mental health support and resources exist in many forms. We aim to be just one option that connects people to their peers in the palm of their hand.
WHO CAN SEE MY INFORMATION?
All personal information in your profile will remain private for other users.
WHAT DOES WHITEFLAG DO WITH MY INFORMATION?
We will never sell, trade, or share your information. Your privacy is extremely important to us.
Personal information that we collect from you may be used for a variety of purposes to improve your user experience. For example, allowing you to upload and share content, identifying features that may interest you, sending notifications, repairing errors and customizing your experience. Information that we collect automatically will help recognize your browser or device, maintain your preferences, provide certain features, and collect information about interactions with our content and our communications. We may also utilize your collected information for legal and safety purposes, such as protecting our users and employees against fraudulent or illegal activity.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
WhiteFlag is a peer-to-peer community where people with shared experiences and challenges can connect, get help and give help.
We believe in therapy and organized support. But we also know that there is value in simply being seen and understood by people who have been exactly where you are. It’s the kind of support our founder experienced from others in treatment and support groups, and we wanted to bring it to life digitally. WhiteFlag is intended as one of many resources for people who need support in many forms.
CAN I STAY ANONYMOUS?
Yes. WhiteFlag users are known to each other as display names only. While connected users are free to share more personal details, we built the app to create connection based on experiences and with the understanding that sometimes it is easier to discuss tough topics with a sense of anonymity.
SAFETY FEATURES
WhiteFlag is designed to be a safe space and well of support. It is our hope that you will never need to do so, but if another user is making you uncomfortable or acting inappropriately, you can block and/or report them at the touch of a button. Simply click on the exclamation icon in the upper right corner of the chat screen to block and/or report a user. Additionally, if you are harassed in any way, please report it at support@whiteflagapp.com or other appropriate authorities immediately.
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Users can also set up their preferences within the app's settings by limiting the number of incoming messages and selecting gender preferences of who can see your profile and contact you.
WhiteFlag is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all users. All reports will be taken seriously, and appropriate action will be taken, if necessary.