After training in Clinical Psychology at the University of Padua (1999) and completing a PhD in Neuroscience at University College London (2002), I joined the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London, where I am Professor of Early Intervention in Mental Health.

Research Expertise:

• How living in urban areas affects the mental health of urban communities (www.urbanmind.info)
• Impacts of climate change (e.g. more frequent heatwaves) on mental health
• Nature-based solutions to the intersectional challenges of mental health and climate change
• Development and validation of smartphone apps to monitor and support mental health in real time
• Development and validation of psychosocial interventions to target social stress and support social functioning in people with mental health conditions

Teaching Activities:

• Since 2012 I lead the world’s first MSc Early Intervention in Psychosis

• I have extensive experience supervising MSc and PhD students

Public Engagement:

I see public engagement as a critical aspect of my work, and have extensive experience discussing research findings in the national and international media. For example:

People who live near green spaces are less likely to struggle with mental health issues - The Guardian

Prof Andrea Mechelli: ‘People who live near green space are less likely to struggle with mental health issues’ | Science | The Guardian

Why diversity in nature could be the key to mental wellbeing – The Conversation https://theconversation.com/why-diversity-in-nature-could-be-the-key-to-mental-wellbeing-227939

Contact with Nature improves mental health – BBC One Breakfast https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/951092282555535362

Bird and birdsong encounters improve mental health – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/27/bird-birdsong-encounters-improve-mental-health-study

Contact with Nature reduces Loneliness in Cities - The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/20/contact-with-nature-cities-reduces-loneliness-study-mental-health

All in the Mind – BBC Radio 4 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0018nvv

Cities increase your risk of depression, anxiety and psychosis – but bring mental health benefits too – The Conversation https://theconversation.com/cities-increase-your-risk-of-depression-anxiety-and-psychosis-but-bring-mental-health-benefits-too-128911

Research Groups: 

Machine Learning in Mental Health Lab

Orchid ID: 

ORCID identifier: 0000-0002-6770-2934