louis appleby
@ProfLAppleby
researcher & govt adviser on suicide prevention & mental health. may also tweet on nature, arts & whatever happens.
What immediate lessons for mental health from the Nottingham inquiry? 1) We are too reluctant to intervene when signs of risk are becoming clear, citing “least restriction”. 2) We do not accept what families tell us, our fleeting observations counting for more.
Watched the Oscar-nominated #GirlWithTheNeedle, extraordinary film combining a notorious Danish crime & the social history of the “fallen woman”. Take care, not an easy watch at times.
Tragic, so painful for the family. Important message: anyone can be at risk. Which means everyone has a role in #suicideprevention. theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/j…
Sir Kenneth Calman was an outstanding Chief Medical Officer for Scotland and then England. He was a great leader and reformer in public health and academia as well as undertaking wider public service. He was also a lovely man, courteous to all. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…
Met #suicideprevention friends pre-weekend, inc bereaved parents. Discussed transformation they & others have achieved in our understanding of suicide & in public discourse. As a data person, have to admire the incredible power of personal narrative. @JamesPlaceUK @samaritans
In Dorset this weekend, visiting superb RSPB reserve at Arne, as seen on Springwatch. Star species: Spoonbill, whimbrel, Dartford warbler, bar headed goose. Roe deer. Emperor dragon flies, gatekeeper butterflies & many more. #biodiversity @RSPBDorset
First heard of her as a crystal-clear pre-Beatles voice. Her version of “Who’s Sorry Now” unusually embittered for a love song of that era. She became a spokesperson for mental health & the trauma of sexual violence. A remarkable life.
Breaking News: Connie Francis, who dominated the charts with hits like “Who’s Sorry Now?” in the late 1950s and early ’60s and whose song “Pretty Little Baby” had a TikTok-fueled resurgence this year, died at 87. nyti.ms/40TlVht
It’s too simple to claim that giving the vote to 16-17yr olds will improve their mental health. But we can say that making them feel listened to, reassuring them society’s rewards reflect their values, should reduce their disillusionment. As Durkheim said in 1897. #anomie
New guidance to schools has stopped short of making the teaching of #suicideprevention mandatory, as many campaigners wanted. My 🧵 on the complexities & risks that go into this decision, written at the time of public consultation. The public agreed 2:1 with this approach.
Guidance to schools on suicide prevention in the RSHE curriculum was published this week. It’s an illustration of how we go from a campaign by bereaved parents to Govt policy. But what does suicide prevention in the curriculum mean? Which children? Are there risks? 🧵 & TW
The first 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre has opened in East London. People with serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar can walk in anytime for support. No referral needed. No appointments. Just support, close to home. ➡️ england.nhs.uk/2025/07/first-…