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
Long COVID symptoms prevalent among healthcare workers
New research has found that 33.6% of surveyed healthcare workers in England report symptoms consistent with post-COVID syndrome.
20-year study finds rates of PTSD and common mental disorders on the rise in Armed Forces personnel and veterans
The latest research from the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR), King’s College London and commissioned by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs...
The Princess Royal attends the 2024 Veterans' Mental Health Conference
On Tuesday 14 May 2024, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended the 2024 Veterans’ Mental Health Conference, organised by the King’s Centre for...
Professor Sally Marlow delivers her inaugural lecture, Never Too Late
On Tuesday 23 April 2024, Professor Marlow delivered her inaugural lecture as Associate Dean of Impact and Professor of Practice in Public Understanding of...
Memorandum of Understanding signed to develop Veteran Mental Health Centre of Excellence in Ukraine
Agreement between King’s, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Federation Global Initiative on Psychiatry signals intent to establish a...
Arts must form an integral part of modern health and social care, report shows
The landmark Creative Health Review report was launched at Science Gallery London at King’s
King's Centre for Military Health Research and Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre host Australian Minister of Veterans' Affairs
Australian government delegation met with centres' researchers to hear about the ongoing work and support for veterans.
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...
Events
Professor Gareth Owen - Inaugural Lecture
Join us in celebrating Professor Gareth Owen's inaugural lecture on 'Psychiatry and Human Nature: Classic and Romantic Perspectives'
Please note: this event has passed.
Professor Sally Marlow - Inaugural Lecture
Join us in celebrating Professor Sally Marlow's inaugural lecture on 'Never Too Late.''
Please note: this event has passed.
Veterans' Mental Health Conference - The importance of integrating health and wellbeing research & clinical practice
Organised by the King’s Centre for Military Health Research with support from the Forces in Mind Trust. Bringing together leading academics, researchers,...
Please note: this event has passed.
60th Maudsley Debate
Motion: 100 years is more than enough: This House believes that psychiatric hospitals should be consigned to the history books
Please note: this event has passed.
Maudsley 100 Grand Round(s)
Join us for a very special celebratory Grand Round(s), as clinicians and academics reflect on 100 years of the Maudsley Hospital.
Please note: this event has passed.
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 - 3rd 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 - 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...
King's contribution to coronavirus response
King's academics and researchers are supporting ongoing research and conversation addressing the global outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Spotlight
Investing in the mental health of military personnel, veterans and their families
The King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) is the main source of independent high-quality data on the mental health and wellbeing of the UK Armed...
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
Long COVID symptoms prevalent among healthcare workers
New research has found that 33.6% of surveyed healthcare workers in England report symptoms consistent with post-COVID syndrome.
20-year study finds rates of PTSD and common mental disorders on the rise in Armed Forces personnel and veterans
The latest research from the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR), King’s College London and commissioned by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs...
The Princess Royal attends the 2024 Veterans' Mental Health Conference
On Tuesday 14 May 2024, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended the 2024 Veterans’ Mental Health Conference, organised by the King’s Centre for...
Professor Sally Marlow delivers her inaugural lecture, Never Too Late
On Tuesday 23 April 2024, Professor Marlow delivered her inaugural lecture as Associate Dean of Impact and Professor of Practice in Public Understanding of...
Memorandum of Understanding signed to develop Veteran Mental Health Centre of Excellence in Ukraine
Agreement between King’s, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Federation Global Initiative on Psychiatry signals intent to establish a...
Arts must form an integral part of modern health and social care, report shows
The landmark Creative Health Review report was launched at Science Gallery London at King’s
King's Centre for Military Health Research and Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre host Australian Minister of Veterans' Affairs
Australian government delegation met with centres' researchers to hear about the ongoing work and support for veterans.
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...
Events
Professor Gareth Owen - Inaugural Lecture
Join us in celebrating Professor Gareth Owen's inaugural lecture on 'Psychiatry and Human Nature: Classic and Romantic Perspectives'
Please note: this event has passed.
Professor Sally Marlow - Inaugural Lecture
Join us in celebrating Professor Sally Marlow's inaugural lecture on 'Never Too Late.''
Please note: this event has passed.
Veterans' Mental Health Conference - The importance of integrating health and wellbeing research & clinical practice
Organised by the King’s Centre for Military Health Research with support from the Forces in Mind Trust. Bringing together leading academics, researchers,...
Please note: this event has passed.
60th Maudsley Debate
Motion: 100 years is more than enough: This House believes that psychiatric hospitals should be consigned to the history books
Please note: this event has passed.
Maudsley 100 Grand Round(s)
Join us for a very special celebratory Grand Round(s), as clinicians and academics reflect on 100 years of the Maudsley Hospital.
Please note: this event has passed.
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 - 3rd 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 - 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...
King's contribution to coronavirus response
King's academics and researchers are supporting ongoing research and conversation addressing the global outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Spotlight
Investing in the mental health of military personnel, veterans and their families
The King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) is the main source of independent high-quality data on the mental health and wellbeing of the UK Armed...
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...