SOLVE: Responding to Suicidal Distress

When someone says they are suicidal, the first response matters.

SOLVE is an early-stage research programme developing a brief, practical and training-independent resource for people responding to disclosures of suicidal distress in Scottish workplaces and communities.

The proposed study asks a straightforward but difficult question: can SOLVE become an evidence-informed, consensus-agreed, safe, acceptable and measurable resource for the moment when someone says they may be suicidal?

---

Why SOLVE is needed

Suicidal distress is often first disclosed outside clinical services. A colleague, manager, friend, volunteer or family member may suddenly find themselves receiving a disclosure without specialist training and without knowing what to say next.

Existing suicide-prevention training can be valuable, but it cannot be assumed that everyone receiving a disclosure will have completed it, remember it or have immediate access to a trained professional. SOLVE is being developed for that gap: the first conversation, at the point of disclosure.

What SOLVE is designed to help people do

• Stop and give the disclosure proper attention.
• Listen without rushing, judging or trying to solve everything.
• Validate the person’s distress without minimising it.
• Avoid dismissive, harmful or overly defensive responses.
• Offer immediate, proportionate support.
• Identify a safe next step and signpost or escalate appropriately.
• Recognise the responder’s role, limits and boundaries.
• Bring the immediate conversation to a safe and supported close.

How SOLVE will be developed

The proposed 36-month development and feasibility study has five connected stages:

1. Evidence review and resource mapping

Reviewing existing evidence, guidance and resources to establish what is already available, what appears helpful and where important gaps remain.

2. Lived-experience and organisational involvement

Working with people who have disclosed suicidal distress, people who have received disclosures, and organisations responsible for workplace and community support. This stage will shape the language, boundaries, accessibility, emotional safety, safeguarding and practical use of SOLVE.

3. Expert consensus

Using a Delphi process with approximately 30 to 40 experts to test and agree the content, with a proposed agreement threshold of at least 70%.

4. Prototype development

Producing a manualised SOLVE prototype with clear wording, intended use, boundaries, signposting and safeguarding arrangements.

5. Feasibility testing

Testing the prototype across three to four sites with approximately 40 to 60 participants, supported by follow-up measures and interviews or focus groups. The purpose will be to establish whether SOLVE can be used safely, consistently and acceptably before any larger evaluation.

The proposed research team

• Dr Simon H. Walker, Principal Investigator
• Professor Ewan Macdonald CBE
• Effie Assan
• Jack Melson

The work is being developed through the Healthy Working Lives Group at the University of Glasgow.

Where SOLVE began

The first SOLVE concept was created in November 2024 following a personal experience in which a disclosure of suicidal distress was closed down at the moment support was needed. The original guide was an immediate attempt to turn that experience into something practical. It is the starting point for the research, not the finished intervention.

Work with us

SOLVE will require involvement from people with lived experience, workplaces, community organisations, suicide-prevention specialists, occupational-health professionals and researchers. If you are interested in contributing to its development or discussing a future study site, please get in touch.

---