Professor Samuel Harvey

Dr Samuel Harvey, MBBS MRCGP MRCPsych FRANZCP PhD, leads the Workplace Mental Health Research Program at the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales.  He is a psychiatrist and epidemiologist with a particular interest in the overlap between mental health, physical health and work. 

After initially working as a general practitioner, Dr Harvey trained in both general adult and consultation liaison psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry in London.  He completed his PhD with the University of London, with a thesis titled “Does physical activity protect against common mental disorders?”  In 2009, he was awarded the UK Royal Society of Medicine Young Epidemiologist of the Year award. 

Dr Harvey’s main research focus is the relationship between work and mental health.  His research in this area considers the role work and workplace trauma may have in precipitating mental illness, the occupational outcomes of those already suffering from mental disorders, predictors of sickness absence and workplace based interventions for both the treatment and prevention of mental disorders.  Together with Prof Mitchell and Prof Bryant, Dr Harvey is currently leading a five year program of research examining some of the specific mental health problems encountered by police, fire and ambulance officers. Further details about this program of research can be found at www.wmh.unsw.edu.au

Dr Harvey’s other main research interest focuses on the overlap between physical and mental health.  He has undertaken studies examining Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the impact of comorbid depression on chronic medical conditions and the potential for lifestyle factors to precent common mental disorders. 

Clinically, Dr Harvey works as a Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist at St George Hospital in Kogarah, where he runs a specialist service for patients with chronic renal disease.  He has previously also run specialist clinics for sick health professionals and dedicated workplace psychiatry clinics.