Table 2 Deductive coding results with example quotations of four characteristics of resilience across system levels

Anticipation

“[In anticipation of future needs]…one of the things that I did do when I first started was brainstorm a list of people - key stakeholders within the mental health and suicide sector on the [location], who I needed to go and talk to” (Site B, Coordinator 1)

“As things are growing… it's sort of prioritizing growing things, and thinking forward, but also keeping the current processes happening” (Site A, Coordinator 2)

“[BDI manager] fought very hard for it to be a [higher level] position [LifeSpan Coordinator] so that when you have to go and talk to other stakeholders, the title means that you’ve got the authority to then speak to them” (Site D, Coordinator 3)

Sensemaking

“I just felt like I was just a complete nag ringing up all the time, and just I had so many questions. But it was just trying to figure it out in my head, it had to click in my head, how we're going to structure this” (Site B, Coordinator 2)

“I remember just not being entirely clear why so much effort was being put into writing these implementation guides…and actually sitting back watching how it was playing out with the BDI implementation team with the site coordinators and in hindsight I don’t think I recognised it all that clearly at the time and I actually think it did some damage to the relationships…” (BDI, Manager 1)

“there's so many things that we were trying to do that were hard, and if we didn't have the other person to bounce ideas off or go, “am I completely off?”. Honestly I think there were times we thought if we hadn't been able to talk to the other person you would think you were losing your mind because, kind of everything you've said, and then what happens, just don't marry up, so I think that that was helpful” (Site C, Coordinator 1)

“They [BDI management] are still trying to figure that out too and navigate those waters… they just didn't have that sort of thinking. They're coming from research, not so much from implementation. So this is kind of all new for them…So, I think that was one of their challenges...that they're still trying to figure out” (Site B, Coordinator 1)

Trade-offs

“The stuff that needed to happen was a small proportion of what I ever actually got to do, so that really threw a spanner in things in terms of how much work we're actually able to do, in reality…like in actually making this work” (Site C, Coordinator 2)

“We got to the stage, where there were lots of things we had to shelve because of capacity” (Site C, Coordinator 1)

“Because it was so big you couldn't do everything so each site would kind of, you know, based on different coordinators interest you would, or based on interest from your local group, we’d progress some further than others” (Site D, Coordinator 2)

“Focusing on one or two things at a time, and trying to make sure stakeholders are engaged and it's implemented well is much more important… it's good to be ambitious to inspire hope, and for motivation, but you also need to be realistic about what can be achieved” (BDI Manager 3)

Adaptation

“I think you kind of have to think on your feet a little bit at times, and just go "We don't have the resources for that. So I'll just figure it out." And I'll just try and do, like, I've had to become a graphic designer. But I've just had to tap into skills I've had years ago. I'll try and knock something up because we don't have the funds to do that” (Site B, Coordinator 2)

“the thing that has made a difference is to maintain engagement. [Engagement is what] you need, if you're bringing something that people don't want, you need to be able to take on board the feedback and take back something new” (Site C, Coordinator 1)

“The other thing that we did and I'm still working on is rather than having a research manager, which is what we did have, we're now looking for a trial manager” (BDI, Manager 1)

“the communication structures have changed quite dramatically, to try and address that issue” (BDI, Manager 2)