Prof. Samuel Harvey is a leading academic psychiatrist with international standing in clinical and population mental health research. He is committed to addressing the human cost of mental illness and suicide and has a passionate determination to create positive change on a global scale. Originally from Adelaide, Sam initially trained and worked as a GP, before pursuing his passion for mental health and training as a psychiatrist at the internationally renowned Maudsley Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience in London. He completed his PhD at the University of London in 2011, and in the decade since has continued to practice as both a clinical psychiatrist and researcher.
Since returning to Australia in 2012, Sam has established new programs of research focused on workplace mental health, models of care for depression, and the overlap between physical and mental health. His research is internationally recognised, with agencies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) looking to him for advice on how to create more mentally healthy workplaces.
Most recently, he led the development, delivery, and evaluation of mental health services for Emergency Service workers who responded to the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bush Fires (the Bush Fire Support Service) Sam commenced in the role of Executive Director and Chief Scientist with the Institute on 1 November 2021.
Session title: Suicide amongst Australia’s frontline workers