Suicide prevention, occupational health, evidence synthesis and public engagement.
In November 2024, we hosted Laughter Lives at the University of Glasgow Student Union—a sold-out night where comedy collided with care, community, and the kind of conversations that don’t usually happen on stage. Curated and headlined by me Buckaroo Bon-Si (aka Dr Simon Walker), the evening featured a phenomenal lineup of local comedians, blending absurdity,... Continue Reading →
The New Year is often viewed as a time of joy and celebration, but for some individuals, it can highlight feelings of isolation and distress. While there is a common belief that suicides may rise during this period, research shows no significant increase in suicide rates on New Year’s Eve or Day. Instead, major holidays may even see a decrease in suicides. Emotional distress and loneliness can intensify post-holiday, but support networks and coping strategies are crucial. It’s vital to seek help from friends, family, or professionals, as struggles with mental health do not follow a specific timeline. Empathy and understanding are essential year-round.
Neurodiversity, Suicide, and Occupational Health in Scotland - SOM Conference Recently I delivered this talk as a guest of the Society of Occupational Medicine, the given talk included a number of personal anecdotes which are not included here. I’m Dr. Simon Harold Walker, Senior Research Lead at the Healthy Working Lives Group at the University... Continue Reading →
This post is a dual post - its a story of my day yesterday which turned into a horrible end of day and reduced me to a mental health wreck desperate for support, overwhelmed with grief, hurt, and humiliation. But more importantly (I feel at least) is the SOLVE resource I've developed as a result... Continue Reading →
Today has not been a great day. My mental health is really low and has been on the decline recently, while my stress levels are continually rising. I know that at times like this the voice in my head gets louder and more insistent, and I have to take steps to be safe, be self... Continue Reading →
Nurse suicide is a recognisable issue both within the UK and Worldwide. Nurses in Scotland, like their counterparts in other parts of the UK, are at a heightened risk of suicide compared to the general population. Studies across the UK show that nurses are often at a higher risk due to several factors, including emotional... Continue Reading →
I am currently at the 4th IGPP Suicide Prevention Event in London, and as usual while the presentations are fantastic, the real discoveries are made in the chats next to the coffee machine. This has encouraged me to recycle an older piece I wrote about the issues of practical engagement with suicide prevention. This is... Continue Reading →
Introduction Suicide is a profound public health issue, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. 5284 suicides were registered in England in 2022, 339 suicides were registered in Wales 2022, 762 probable suicides were registered in 2022, 203 suicides were registered in Northern Ireland 2022.(Samaritans, 2023) As the tenth leading cause of death globally, it... Continue Reading →
Thanks for listening to my talk, pleasure and honour to be in such esteemed company. Please get in touch to discuss and collaborate - Simon.Walker@Glasgow.ac.uk
Nursing suicide and International Nursing Day - Who Cares for the Carers?
