Stephen Platt is Professor of Health Policy Research at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. For over 35 years he has pursued a research interest in mental health and suicidal behaviour, co-authoring many publications on social, epidemiological and cultural aspects of suicide and self-harm. He has been particularly concerned with the influence of labour market conditions (and related inequalities) on the incidence of suicide and self-harm. He contributed to the development of Choose Life, a National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland, and led a consortium of researchers who undertook a formative evaluation of the first phase of the strategy. He is a member of the International Academy for Suicide Research and the Scientific Review Board for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He serves as a member of the Scottish Government Working Group on Preventing Suicide and Self-harm. Stephen is involved in policy development and analysis relating to public mental health and mental health improvement, and has extensive experience of successful collaboration with policy planners and practitioners working in these areas. He has published on conceptual and methodological aspects of positive mental health and well-being and is co-developer of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). He is a trustee of UK Samaritans and Befriending Networks.