Simon Wessely

Regius Professor of Psychiatry, King's College London; Dir King’s Centre Military Health Research; FRS; Past President RCPsych & RSM. Chelsea season ticket

[Simon Wessely @WesselyS]

The King’s Speech announces legislation to modernise the Mental Health Act. My thanks to the marvellous team of civil servants, service users, mental health and legal professionals and many more who worked so hard as part of our Independent Review. We are nearly there

[Connor Cummings @ConnorCummings]

🏜️ Free on Monday evening?

🩺 Hear me battle it out at The Great Debate on Social Media at the Royal Society of Medicine (@RoySocMed)!

https://t.co/cGKqonZdnU

[ALASTAIR CAMPBELL @campbellclaret]

I suspect this post would have meant more than most to him!

[Jeremy Farrar @JeremyFarrar]

Very sad news. An outstanding scientist, generous, unselfish, wise and inspiring. A huge contribution to public life. All thoughts with Robin’s family, friends and colleagues all around the world. 💐 https://t.co/kxcEaJrVzz

[Simon Wessely @WesselyS]

Thanks Alastair spot on. Am in Kyiv. Having written about resilience for years, it is humbling to actually see it for real myself.

[Simon Wessely @WesselyS]

Thanks Alastair spot on. Am in Kyiv. Having written about resilience for years, it is humbling to actually see it for real myself.

[ALASTAIR CAMPBELL @campbellclaret]

Absolutely horrific night in Ukraine last night - 44 ballistic missiles and 659 drones fired from Russia. Deaths in Kyiv, Odessa and Dnipro. Not even bothering to hide the fact that it is residential areas under attack. Barely on the news outside Ukraine. And @JDVance says he is proud that USA has pulled its support so the aggressor can keep aggressing. Disgusting. But Europe has to do even more now

[Dr Asif Qasim MA PhD FRCP @DrAsifQasim]

Professor Harold Ellis died yesterday aged 100.

Fond memories of undergraduate anatomy at @Cambridge_Uni an inspiration and mentor to generations of doctors

May he rest in peace

[Simon Wessely @WesselyS]

Other way round, says a psychiatrist

[Paul Lay @_paullay]

@simon_schama He is a subject more for psychiatrists than historians.

[The Unconventional Soldier Podcast @TheUCS473]

My old man handed me a copy of "Bomber" when I was a kid. Started a life long interest in bomber command and Deighton's writing. Think I've read most of his books over the years. RiP Len and thanks for the hours of immersion in your different worlds.

[Simon Wessely @WesselyS]

Me too. Is it still available?

[Giles Udy @GilesUdy]

I remember Bomber being broadcast ‘in real time’ through the day, some years back. I was refurbishing a house full time so listened throughout.
It was utterly gripping and horrifying. Made me feel as if I was within the story, listening from the ground, as the planes and the village that was their target got closer and closer.
I’ll never forget it.

Harry Palmer is one of the great characters of the genre and The Ipcress File and Funeral in Berlin were classic films.

A great writer.

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

Very sad to learn of the death of Len Deighton, who was one of the two greatest spy thriller writers of all time and in some regards was Le Carre’s superior.

Anyone who has not read Deighton should try Funeral in Berlin, Bomber or SSGB. Most of all they should seek out Berlin Game, the start of an epic 10 book Cold War series focused on Bernard Samson.

Deighton’s writing was sharp, satirical, gripping and often amusing. His office infighting in the intelligence services was delicious and his characters are beautifully drawn.

The Samson cycle starts with a meticulously plotted run of five books (Berlin Game, Mexico Set, London Match, Spy Hook and Spy Line) which all stand alone but tell one big story from the jaded but dedicated perspective Bernard a brilliant field operative. Len’s genius idea was to use the sixth, Spy Sinker, to retell the whole cycle from the perspective of everyone else, exposing what Bernard didn’t know and misunderstood.

There is then an origin story about Bernard’s dad during the war, Winter, and then a concluding trilogy of Faith, Hope and Charity, which is not as high quality but deals with the fallout from the events of books 1-5.

It’s an epic achievement and the greatest long series in spy fiction, accepting that the Smiley series is the greatest short series.

Do yourself a favour, give it a try

[Simon Wessely @WesselyS]

@DrHelenFry ‘Wartime’. Milovan Djilas. Captures the nightmare of wars within wars. A war against the Nazi invaders, but also a complex brutal series of cival wars. Honest, relentless, compelling. A classic

[Simon Wessely @WesselyS]

Awful that @dannythefink had to write this, essential that we read it

[The Times and Sunday Times @thetimes]

'How the world’s antisemites turned on me' │ ✍️@Dannythefink https://t.co/EwKJN8bjUt

[Simon Wessely @WesselyS]

@simon_schama Isn’t this “A Walk to Caesaria”, Hannah Szenes. An inspired choice in every respect.

[Simon Wessely @WesselyS]

Two beautiful memoirs. I didn't know Lisa Wallace, but I wish I had. I definitely knew Dan Stein, and cannot believe he has gone. We were in communication only a few weeks ago. An extraordinary scholar, and a thoroughly lovely colleague.

[Awais Aftab @awaisaftab]

The All of Thine That Cannot Die: Farewell to Two Friends

In memory of Dan J. Stein and Lisa Wallace

https://t.co/0RFjtZ49nB

[Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience @KingsIoPPN]

We are delighted to announce that IoPPN scientists Prof Ann McNeill and Prof Kei Cho have received a CBE and MBE in the King’s New Years Honours 2026👏

🔗Read more: https://t.co/BW36ggJk7x

[Connor Cummings @ConnorCummings]

👨🏼‍⚖️ Fun and lively debate on the state of UK Medical Training at the @RoySocMed yesterday!

⚖️ Chaired by @WesselyS, we were treated to many insightful contributions from @DacreJane, @JujuliaGrace, Harry Cayton and Kristen Davies.

Looking forward to the next RSM Great Debate!

[Simon Wessely @WesselyS]

It's 8 years since we finished the Independent Review of the Mental Heath Act, and now the new Bill has Royal Assent. Good things are worth waiting for. My thanks again to the large team of mental health professionals, service users, families, the dedication of the civil service team who made it happen, and the cross party support which ensured it would not become a political football. We didn't get everything we wanted, but it's a major step forward.

[Independent Voices @IndyVoices]

Wes Streeting: My new Mental Health Act will consign unfair and outdated treatment to history
https://t.co/cycJmm4Ylc

[Independent Voices @IndyVoices]

Wes Streeting: My new Mental Health Act will consign unfair and outdated treatment to history
https://t.co/cycJmm4Ylc

[Royal College of Psychiatrists @rcpsych]

The Mental Health Act for England and Wales has received Royal Assent after years of hard work from professionals, policy makers, patients and carers.

Read our full statement on the Act here: https://t.co/NrEpt2F23u

[University of Leicester @uniofleicester]

News | Our former Deputy Registrar, Richard Taylor, has won a major settlement against Steve Coogan and Pathe Productions in landmark defamation case

👉 https://t.co/qzV5ANLFDm