Professor Alastair Santhouse to champion public understanding of psychiatry in new role
We’re thrilled to share that Professor Alastair (Al) Santhouse, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at South London and Maudsley, has been appointed Professor of Practice in Public Understanding of Psychiatry at King’s College London – a dual role alongside his ongoing work at the Trust.
Professor Santhouse has been a key figure at the Trust for many years, currently working within the national Neuropsychiatry Service at the Maudsley Hospital.
This recognition reflects his ongoing commitment to improving public awareness of mental health and the complex relationship between mind and body. His new role will focus on using his professional expertise and experience in the public sphere to promote the public understanding of psychiatry. .
On his appointment, Professor Alastair Santhouse said: “April 2026 marks my 30th year at The Maudsley Hospital. It has been a privilege during that time to work alongside dedicated colleagues in the hospital, as well as benefitting from close partnership with the Institute of Psychology, Psychotherapy and Neuroscience to the betterment of patient care.
“Working here has also allowed me to develop a role in the promotion of psychiatry through teaching students and trainees, writing books for the public, and appearances in print and broadcast media. I am delighted to have been appointed as Professor of Practice in the Public Understanding of Psychiatry and hope to be able to continue my work advocating in the public space for psychiatry, the profession to which I have dedicated my career.”
His clinical contributions span mental health problems that present in general hospital settings, including neuropsychiatric conditions, persistent physical symptoms, the mental health consequences of physical illness, and more common mental health presentations such as depression, anxiety, OCD and more.
Using his experience, Professor Santhouse’s work helps to bridge clinical practice and public engagement, seen most visibly through his books Head First and No More Normal, making significant impacts on the wider societal understanding of mental health and sparking important conversations about what it means to be well.
Derek Tracy, Chief Medical Officer at South London and Maudsley said: "This is a wonderful, and extremely well-deserved honour, and my congratulations to Professor Santhouse. Al has been an outstanding Consultant Psychiatrist in SLAM for many years, known and respected both for his knowledge and learning as a neuropsychiatrist, but also for the consistently excellent feedback he gets from his patients and their support networks. His written work has served as a beacon of clarity and common-sense, often provocatively challenging us and our assumptions about mental illness."
The new role recognises this unique contribution and highlights not only his clinical excellence but also his willingness to speak boldly and thoughtfully about the challenges facing modern psychiatry.
A huge congratulations to Professor Santhouse – this role is a testament to his influence within our Trust and beyond it.
