Louis Appleby

Professor Louis Appleby is a distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manchester, where he serves in the Division of Psychology & Mental Health. He holds the prestigious position of Director of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health and leads England's National Suicide Prevention Strategy. His work has positioned him as one of the UK's foremost experts in suicide prevention and mental health safety.

Professor Appleby's research focuses on suicide prevention across diverse populations including mental health patients, children and young people, individuals with prior self-harm, and offenders. He leads the Centre for Mental Health and Safety, recognized as the largest research unit in suicide prevention globally. The Centre has developed a UK-wide database of over 100,000 suicides that informs evidence-based policy and practice. His research examines risk factors that increase suicide vulnerability and identifies protective factors and effective intervention points across different populations.

Recent publications demonstrate his continued leadership in the field, with studies examining suicide in veterans, self-harm patterns in children and women, and suicide risk among patients with psychosis. These works reflect his commitment to translating research into practical interventions that save lives across multiple demographic groups.

• CBE (2006)
• RCPsych Lifetime Achievement Award (2021)
• Knighted in the 2023 New Year Honours
• Making a Difference Award, University of Manchester (May 2019)
• Outstanding Benefit to Society Through Research (2015)

Professor Appleby has secured substantial research funding totaling £25 million from organizations including the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, and Department of Health. His leadership extends to numerous doctoral students and early-career researchers in suicide prevention. He has held significant government roles including National Director for Mental Health (2000-2010) and National Clinical Director for Health and Criminal Justice (2010-2014), demonstrating his impact on national mental health policy.

As Director of the Centre for Mental Health and Safety, Professor Appleby oversees multiple research programs including the National Confidential Inquiry, the Manchester Self-Harm Project (MASH), bereavement support research, offender health initiatives, and international epidemiological collaborations with Danish colleagues. His work continues to shape suicide prevention strategies at local, national, and international levels.