Table 1 Summary of government specification for a Distress Brief Intervention [37]

∙ There should be a joint role for frontline statutory services and third sector community organisations in providing brief and time-limited support for individuals presenting to frontline services in distress.

∙ The intervention should be suitable for delivery by non-specialists across a wide range of frontline services and contexts and a staff training programme would, therefore, be needed to support delivery of the intervention.

∙ Frontline services will provide a ‘Level 1 response’ at point of presentation, which, in turn, may lead to an offer of referral to receive an additional ‘Level 2’ enhanced response based in the community.

∙ The Level 2 follow-up support should involve contact initiated within 24 hours and last up to 14 consecutive days.

∙ The intervention should be piloted in four parts of Scotland and subject to an independent evaluation