Suicidality

Trialling a new app to reduce suicidal thoughts in young people

Led by Dr Lindsay Dewa at Imperial College London

Dr Lindsay Dewa carries out research at Imperial College London into how social connections – such as relationships with friends, family, and trusted others – can protect against poor mental health and suicide. She works closely with young people to design research together, including co-producing the award-winning short film ‘Nexus’ to share research on mental health and social isolation.

With her Foundation-funded fellowship, Lindsay and her team will conduct a trial to test a new digital approach to supporting young people aged 18-25 who experience suicidal thoughts. The project will adapt an existing mobile phone app to provide personalised prompts encouraging young people to connect with people they trust at the right moment, such as sending a message, arranging a video call, or meeting in person.

These ‘social connection nudges’ will be developed using AI and co-produced with young people with lived experience of suicidal thoughts and self harm, who will help shape every research stage to ensure it remains relevant, builds trust, and has real-world impact. The fellowship will also support Lindsay to evaluate how co-production with lived experience experts influences how a digital tool like this is designed, accepted by, and delivered to its intended users. The findings from the study will inform a larger trial and help develop ways to strengthen social connections and reduce suicide risk among young people on a larger scale.