REsearch into Scottish nursing SUicide and Mental health Experience

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The ASC App: A Lifeline for Healthcare Workers

The ASC App: A Virtual Tap on the Shoulder When It Matters Most

A Moment That Changes Everything

“I didn’t know I was going to try to die that day. When I stepped onto the escalator, I wasn’t planning my suicide. But by the time I reached the bottom, I wanted to step off and die. As I prepared to end it, a stranger tapped me on the shoulder. That simple act broke my concentration — and saved my life.”
— Dr Simon Walker

That moment — a tap on the shoulder — is what the ASC App is designed to replicate.

The ASC App (Assistant, Support, and Care) is a unique digital tool developed by the RESUME project to help prevent suicide among nurses and healthcare professionals. It’s built for those moments of sudden emotional crisis — when a person may not have planned to end their life but finds themselves right on the edge in a matter of minutes.

A Virtual Tap on the Shoulder

Suicidal crisis can strike unexpectedly. In those moments:

✅ Our thinking narrows.
✅ We may not remember our coping strategies.
✅ We may not reach out for help — even if we desperately want it.

The ASC App exists to provide an immediate, virtual interrupt — just like that stranger’s tap on the shoulder.

It helps create a critical pause. Enough time for:

  • A personal safety plan to appear on screen.
  • Quick links to coping strategies.
  • An emergency alert to connect you to a trusted supporter.

Emergency Safety Plan

At the heart of the ASC App is a personalised emergency safety plan:

  • Identifies warning signs unique to you.
  • Lists coping strategies you’ve chosen when feeling unsafe.
  • Displays your reasons for staying alive.
  • Offers rapid access to crisis contacts and resources.
  • Features an Emergency Button for one-tap connection to your chosen supporter.

In a sudden crisis, the ASC App helps ground you — reminding you that help is possible, and that the urge to die can pass.

A Connection to People Who Care

The ASC App is designed to connect users not just to services — but to people they trust.

It includes a unique dual-user system:

✅ Supported User (the person in distress):

  • Sets up their personal profile and safety plan.
  • Chooses trusted people to be notified during high distress.
  • Controls what information is shared.

✅ Supporter (trusted friend, colleague, or family member):

  • Sets up a linked account.
  • Receives alerts if the supported person signals high distress.
  • Has access to the shared safety plan so they know how best to help.

This isn’t just an app. It’s a digital bridge between someone in crisis and those who care about them.

Beyond Crisis: Building Knowledge for Prevention

While the ASC App is first and foremost a tool to help save lives in the moment, it also has a vital secondary role:

  • It collects anonymous data on distress episodes, triggers, and app usage.
  • Over time, this data will help researchers identify:
    • Patterns in when and where crises occur.
    • Common workplace stressors linked to suicide risk.
    • Ways to improve support systems for nurses.

The aim is to turn lived experience into actionable knowledge, shaping better prevention strategies across the healthcare system.

“We want to know: What escalates risk? What helps? And how can we spot the moment before the crisis happens?”
— Dr Simon Walker

Features of the ASC App

  • Quick, simple emotional check-ins.
  • Personalised emergency safety plan.
  • “Emergency Button” to instantly notify a supporter.
  • Customisable diary for reflection and tracking triggers.
  • Signposting to mental health support services.
  • Dual-user system linking supported users and supporters.
  • Anonymised data collection for research into suicide prevention.

Designed By People Who’ve Been There

The ASC App is shaped by people who understand what it’s like to be on the edge — and what it’s like to support someone in crisis.

  • Nurses and healthcare staff contributed to the app’s design.
  • Language and features reflect real experiences.
  • The interface is built to be simple and calming, even in moments of distress.

Looking Ahead

The ASC App is currently being piloted as part of the RESUME study. Early feedback has been encouraging, highlighting how even small digital interventions can make a life-saving difference.

Future plans include:

  • New visual layouts for comfort and accessibility.
  • Smarter analytics to help predict moments of high risk.
  • Broader roll-out to other high-risk occupational groups.

If You’re Struggling

If you ever feel unsafe with your thoughts:

  • Reach out to someone you trust.
  • Call emergency services if you’re in immediate danger.
  • In the UK, you can call Samaritans any time on 116 123.

Remember — a single moment of connection, even digital, can save a life.