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Simon Wessely

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

    pexels-imprensa-agruban®-10501127
    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.

    mental health conflict hero
    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.

    hwstudy
    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

    pexels-rodnae-productions-7468213
    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

    military-stress2
    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.

    children running
    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.

    NHS check Hero photo

    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...

    Vetera

    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...

    The Princess Royal speaking at the Veterans' Conference 2024

    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...

    Professor Sally Marlow in front of a screen with the title of her talk Never Too Late

    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...

    MoU Ukraine 2

    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

    APPG Creative Health Web Resize

    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.

    780x440 Australian Minister Visit 1

    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...

    Sally policy review

    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...

    RF graphic

    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...

    Johnny Mercer giving a presentation at the Veteran's Mental Health Conference 2023

    Events

    26Nov

    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.

    23Apr

    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.

    14May

    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.

    04Dec

    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.

    15Nov

    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.

    30Mar

    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.

    05Dec

    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.

    27Oct

    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...

    Untitled design (8)

    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,...

    World Mental Health Day

    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.

    Professor-Simon-Wessely-hero

    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.

    Coronavirus CDC promo

    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 2 1903x558

    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 2 1903x558

    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 1800x500

    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 2 1903x558

    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...

    Maudsley Debates 2 1903x558

    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).

    Coronavirus promo

    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...

    army-veteran-family

    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....

    People 780 x 440

    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...

    woman therapy spotlight

      Research

      pexels-imprensa-agruban®-10501127
      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.

      mental health conflict hero
      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.

      hwstudy
      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

      pexels-rodnae-productions-7468213
      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

      military-stress2
      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.

      children running
      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.

      NHS check Hero photo

      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...

      Vetera

      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...

      The Princess Royal speaking at the Veterans' Conference 2024

      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...

      Professor Sally Marlow in front of a screen with the title of her talk Never Too Late

      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...

      MoU Ukraine 2

      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

      APPG Creative Health Web Resize

      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.

      780x440 Australian Minister Visit 1

      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...

      Sally policy review

      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...

      RF graphic

      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...

      Johnny Mercer giving a presentation at the Veteran's Mental Health Conference 2023

      Events

      26Nov

      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.

      23Apr

      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.

      14May

      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.

      04Dec

      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.

      15Nov

      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.

      30Mar

      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.

      05Dec

      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.

      27Oct

      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...

      Untitled design (8)

      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,...

      World Mental Health Day

      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.

      Professor-Simon-Wessely-hero

      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.

      Coronavirus CDC promo

      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 2 1903x558

      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 2 1903x558

      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 1800x500

      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 2 1903x558

      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...

      Maudsley Debates 2 1903x558

      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).

      Coronavirus promo

      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...

      army-veteran-family

      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....

      People 780 x 440

      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...

      woman therapy spotlight