Partners advance SAFXR: a new immersive approach to suicide prevention training and workforce mental health

Partners advance SAFXR: a new immersive approach to suicide prevention training and workforce mental health

The partners behind SAFXR (Safety Planning for Suicide Prevention XR) have today announced significant progress in the co-design and development of an innovative immersive learning solution that aims to transform how professionals respond to people experiencing suicidal thoughts, while also supporting their own mental health and resilience.

SAFXR, which began development in July 2025, is a collaborative project led by Care Reality in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland (NES), the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI), and the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory (SBRL) at the University of Glasgow. The project brings together expertise in immersive technology, clinical education, mental health research, and lived experience insight.

Professor Kevin Kelman, Director, NHS Scotland Academy Learning and Innovation Directorate said:

"NES is pleased to be working collaboratively to ensure the educational and clinical integrity of this important innovation. SAFXR represents a meaningful step forward in how the NHS in Scotland supports the wider workforce to respond with confidence, compassion, and consistency when people are in distress."

Professor Rory O'Connor, Director of the Suicidal Behaviour Research Lab at the University of Glasgow said:

"We're delighted to be involved in this important innovation to enhance safety planning training for people who are suicidal. Making use of the latest immersive technologies, SAFXR will enhance existing suicide prevention efforts as we work together to tackle the scourge of suicide."

Co-design underway

Using Care Reality's FLO XR platform, SAFXR integrates scenario-based learning with evidence-informed safety planning, enabling professionals to rehearse complex, emotionally challenging situations in a controlled environment. Co-design is central to the project, with people with lived experience, frontline practitioners, and mental health specialists contributing directly to the shaping of content, scenarios, and therapeutic elements.

The co-design phase, now well underway, is focusing on scenario storyboarding, emotional safety considerations, and user experience design. Early testing will take place in the University of Glasgow's ARC XR Lab, with further evaluation planned across multiple sectors in 2026.

The project responds to a clear and urgent need: suicide remains one of the most pressing public health challenges and supporting the mental health of those working in high-pressure, public-facing roles is essential. SAFXR aims to provide a dual-benefit solution, enhancing professional competence in suicide prevention while offering reflective tools to help users manage their own wellbeing.

SAFXR is supported through Innovate UK funding and is aligned with national strategies including Scotland’s Creating Hope Together action plan. The solution is being designed for use across health, social care, education, emergency services, justice, and community settings.

Further updates will be shared as the project moves into early testing and evaluation stages in 2026.

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