
Professor Sir Simon Wessely
Regius Professor of Psychiatry
Research interests
- Psychiatry
Biography
Simon Wessely is a psychiatrist and epidemiologist. He started his psychiatry training at the Maudsley in 1984, and joined King’s College School of Medicine, as it was then called in 1991. He has been at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, ever since.
He did pre-clinical at Trinity Hall Cambridge, with a BA in History of Art, and then BM BCH at University College Oxford. His Masters and Doctorate are in epidemiology.
He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Psychiatrists and Academy of Medical Sciences. In 2021 he became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).
His is the first ever Regius Chair to be appointed at KCL, and the first Regius Chair of Psychiatry in this country. He established the King’s Centre for Military Health Research in 1996, and remains the Co-director, and since 2013 has been the Director of the PHE NIHR Health Protection Unit for Emergency Response and Preparedness, which has been very active during the COVID-19 crisis.
He is a Past President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Society of Medicine. Between 2017 -19 he led the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act, which paved the way for new legislation in 2022.
As of Jan 2021 he has 850 professional publications,. >41,000 citations: H index 100 (Scopus), 138 (Google).
Research interests
His main areas of research have been in unexplained symptoms/syndromes, military health, epidemiology, clinical trials and how populations and people react to adversity.
He also has a great interest in interdisciplinary work, and has published with legal academics, historians, sociologists, anthropologists, and others.
Teaching
Military health, public health, behavioural science, psychiatry.
Expertise and public engagement
At the start of his career SW was a regular columnist for the Times, and continue to write/review for various publications, mainly on improving public knowledge and interest in mental health and illness, but also on many other topics around science, medicine and culture.
Since 2014 as well as 20+ articles in the print media, he has appeared on Any Questions, Start the Week, Economist Summit, Spectator, Imperial War Museum, National Army Museum, Life Scientific, Private Passions, Science Museum, Desert Island Discs, regular on Today (over a dozen appearances), 5Live, Sky, PM (over a dozen appearances), WATO, CNN, ITN and more. He has appeared in numerous documentaries, especially around mental health but also history (King George, shell shock, WW 1 anniversary, Rudolf Hess, Young Hitler) , been a regular at literary and science festivals (Hay, Where the Light Gets In, Cheltenham (Literary and Science), Edinburgh, Scarborough and many others). He spoke on mental health at the opening of the Chelsea Flower Show, regularly speak before/after theatre productions, usually around mental health/history (Barbican, Old and Young Vic, National Army Museum, National, Southwark Playhouse, Trafalgar Studios etc), and worked with opera and theatre companies on new productions of The Madness of King George, The Caretaker, Our Ajax, a new opera on shell shock and others.
He has been profiled in Telegraph, Guardian, NS, Cosmo, Lancet, BMJ, the subject of a supportive Times leader, & even won an IQ2 debate against Will Self. In 2017 his appearance on The Life Scientific made "Pick of the Week" and was rated by Head of BBC Radio as "one of the best".
Finally, in 2021 he appeared on Desert Island Discs.
Research

King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR)
The King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR), King’s College London, is the leading civilian UK centre of excellence for military health research.

Centre for Conflict & Health Research
Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.
Health and Wellbeing Cohort Study
A long-term study investigating the health and wellbeing of UK military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Project status: Ongoing

VeteransCHECK
A study investigating the current experiences and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health, wellbeing and lifestyle behaviours of ex-serving personnel.
Project status: Ongoing

Academic Department of Military Mental Health
The Academic Department of Military Mental Health, undertakes military mental health research and development for the UK Armed Forces.

King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People
Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People is set to be the world-leading centre for child and adolescent mental health.
News
Researchers produce systematic critique of 2021 NICE guideline on CFS and ME
A new analysis of the 2021 revision of NICE guideline for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) has outlined eight shortcomings in...

Full house at 10th edition of IoPPN Research Festival
The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) celebrated its 10th Research Festival in a packed Wolfson Lecture Theatre. This year's...

Veteran's Mental Health Conference 2023
The King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCHMR), the leading civilian centre of excellence for military health research in the UK, presented the 2023...

Professor Sir Simon Wessely appointed to NHS England Board of Directors
IoPPN Interim Executive Dean, Professor Sir Simon Wessely, has been appointed to NHS England Board of Directors for three years.

Healthcare workers in England experience PTSD at twice the rate of the general public
New research led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London in collaboration with the NIHR ARC North Thames at...

Armed Forces Personnel who are injured in combat at greater risk of poor mental health
Members of the British Armed Forces who were physically injured while fighting in Afghanistan are more likely to experience poor mental health compared to...

Landmark trial of NHS staff reveals promising solution to improve mental health
New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London has found that the mental health and wellbeing of...

YouTube partnership addresses mental health questions
King's is working with YouTube to connect viewers with mental health advice from experts, debunk myths and signpost ways to get support.

REF 2021 highlights IoPPN's research impact and quality
Results highlight the excellent quality and the positive contribution IoPPN’s research makes to global society.

New Interim Executive Dean for the IoPPN
Professor Sir Simon Wessely has been appointed Interim Executive Dean for the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN)

Events

Professor Stephani Hatch - Inaugural Lecture
Join us in celebrating Professor Stephani Hatch's inaugural lecture on 'Fighting for Health and Social Equity: Lessons from a southernplayalistic ATLien.'
Please note: this event has passed.

Professor Jernej Ule - Inaugural Lecture
Join us in celebrating Professor Jernej Ule's inaugural lecture on 'Understanding protein-RNA condensates and their disruptions in ALS'
Please note: this event has passed.

KCLA Centenary Conversations: The impact of Covid-19 on mental health
Join KCLA for their Centenary series of webinars.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Balancing choice & autonomy: modernising the Mental Health Act
The Mental Health Act (MHA) is the legislation which covers the care and treatment of people with a serious mental illness. Under this act if a person is...

World Mental Health Day 2020 - King's contribution to understanding and treating mental health
Our world-leading research and community initiatives, together aim to find solutions to some of the challenges faced for people living with mental illness,...

By order of the Queen – King's awarded first ever Regius Professorship of Psychiatry
Professor Sir Simon Wessely has been awarded one of 12 Regius Professorships, marking the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

King's contributes to pandemic response
Staff and students from across the King’s community are supporting efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Maudsley Debates - 21st to 30th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Maudsley Debates - 11th to 20th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Maudsley Debates - 3rd to 10th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Maudsley Debates - 31st to 40th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Maudsley Debates - 41st to 50th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Maudsley Debates - 51st to 60th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Spotlight
Understanding behaviour during crises
Over the past decade, King’s researchers have navigated the delicate but essential line between providing timely yet rigorous evidence in times of crises....

Balancing choice & autonomy: modernising the Mental Health Act
The Mental Health Act (MHA) is the legislation which covers the care and treatment of people with a serious mental illness. Under this act if a person is...

Research

King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR)
The King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR), King’s College London, is the leading civilian UK centre of excellence for military health research.

Centre for Conflict & Health Research
Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.
Health and Wellbeing Cohort Study
A long-term study investigating the health and wellbeing of UK military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Project status: Ongoing

VeteransCHECK
A study investigating the current experiences and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health, wellbeing and lifestyle behaviours of ex-serving personnel.
Project status: Ongoing

Academic Department of Military Mental Health
The Academic Department of Military Mental Health, undertakes military mental health research and development for the UK Armed Forces.

King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People
Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People is set to be the world-leading centre for child and adolescent mental health.
News
Researchers produce systematic critique of 2021 NICE guideline on CFS and ME
A new analysis of the 2021 revision of NICE guideline for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) has outlined eight shortcomings in...

Full house at 10th edition of IoPPN Research Festival
The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) celebrated its 10th Research Festival in a packed Wolfson Lecture Theatre. This year's...

Veteran's Mental Health Conference 2023
The King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCHMR), the leading civilian centre of excellence for military health research in the UK, presented the 2023...

Professor Sir Simon Wessely appointed to NHS England Board of Directors
IoPPN Interim Executive Dean, Professor Sir Simon Wessely, has been appointed to NHS England Board of Directors for three years.

Healthcare workers in England experience PTSD at twice the rate of the general public
New research led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London in collaboration with the NIHR ARC North Thames at...

Armed Forces Personnel who are injured in combat at greater risk of poor mental health
Members of the British Armed Forces who were physically injured while fighting in Afghanistan are more likely to experience poor mental health compared to...

Landmark trial of NHS staff reveals promising solution to improve mental health
New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London has found that the mental health and wellbeing of...

YouTube partnership addresses mental health questions
King's is working with YouTube to connect viewers with mental health advice from experts, debunk myths and signpost ways to get support.

REF 2021 highlights IoPPN's research impact and quality
Results highlight the excellent quality and the positive contribution IoPPN’s research makes to global society.

New Interim Executive Dean for the IoPPN
Professor Sir Simon Wessely has been appointed Interim Executive Dean for the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN)

Events

Professor Stephani Hatch - Inaugural Lecture
Join us in celebrating Professor Stephani Hatch's inaugural lecture on 'Fighting for Health and Social Equity: Lessons from a southernplayalistic ATLien.'
Please note: this event has passed.

Professor Jernej Ule - Inaugural Lecture
Join us in celebrating Professor Jernej Ule's inaugural lecture on 'Understanding protein-RNA condensates and their disruptions in ALS'
Please note: this event has passed.

KCLA Centenary Conversations: The impact of Covid-19 on mental health
Join KCLA for their Centenary series of webinars.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Balancing choice & autonomy: modernising the Mental Health Act
The Mental Health Act (MHA) is the legislation which covers the care and treatment of people with a serious mental illness. Under this act if a person is...

World Mental Health Day 2020 - King's contribution to understanding and treating mental health
Our world-leading research and community initiatives, together aim to find solutions to some of the challenges faced for people living with mental illness,...

By order of the Queen – King's awarded first ever Regius Professorship of Psychiatry
Professor Sir Simon Wessely has been awarded one of 12 Regius Professorships, marking the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

King's contributes to pandemic response
Staff and students from across the King’s community are supporting efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Maudsley Debates - 21st to 30th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Maudsley Debates - 11th to 20th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Maudsley Debates - 3rd to 10th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Maudsley Debates - 31st to 40th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Maudsley Debates - 41st to 50th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Maudsley Debates - 51st to 60th
The Maudsley Debates take place three times a year at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Topics generally focus on issues that...

Spotlight
Understanding behaviour during crises
Over the past decade, King’s researchers have navigated the delicate but essential line between providing timely yet rigorous evidence in times of crises....

Balancing choice & autonomy: modernising the Mental Health Act
The Mental Health Act (MHA) is the legislation which covers the care and treatment of people with a serious mental illness. Under this act if a person is...
