Suicide prevention, occupational health, evidence synthesis and public engagement.
We encourage people to ask for help, but what happens when they do? On World Suicide Prevention Day, I explore Scotland’s support pathways and propose research into who receives appropriate care, whether it helps, and what happens to those whose needs remain unmet. A referral is not the same as receiving care. Suicide prevention cannot end with the first conversation.
Surveillance technologies are rapidly transforming mental health care, promising safety but delivering complex ethical challenges. Drawing on Griffiths et al. (2024) and Foucault’s concept of the panopticon, this reflection considers whether “smart wards” enhance care or merely extend institutional control. In an age of data-driven vigilance, the question is not how much more we can see, but whether we still understand what we are looking at.
We are facing a culling of creative arts, and it terrifies me. Currently, I work as an Occupational Health Researcher and Suicidologist at the University of Glasgow within the School of Health and Wellbeing, but I never aimed to be in medicine. Initially, I trained as a historian. My undergraduate and master’s degrees were based... Continue Reading →
Over the last few months, I’ve sent out multiple carefully written, relevant op-eds to major publications I’ve previously worked with—on suicide prevention, AI, and Scottish heritage. Not a single response. This piece explores the emotional and professional impact of that silence. It reflects on gatekeeping, merit vs. luck, and how editorial ghosting can chip away at self-worth. I draw parallels to stand-up comedy—another space where access often depends more on contacts than quality. Despite the silence, I keep writing. This is a message to others still pitching into the void: I see you. You’re not alone. Keep going.
Hi, I'm Simon (Si), Dr Simon Harold Walker ,and I'm guessing you got here either because I bugged you in person or badgered you online about our interests and work similarities. My contact details - simon.walker@glasgow.ac.uk at the University of Glasgow Simonwalker2018@gmail.com for non academic collaboration. I am a Historical Suicidologist, Medical Military Historian, and... Continue Reading →
The word 'invalid' has existed for over 2000 years. It's meaning has changed and evolved. Recently the word describe wounded troops or disabled individuals, but also meant 'not valued' - this article considers the damage of a label and questions how the interpretations of invalid have linked to discriminate and segregate.
Leading on from my previous post about active learning; find out about how I turned a tutorial into a detective mystery.
Dr Simon Harold Walker 