Henry Bowen National Suicide Prevention Conference 2025

Henry Bowen

Dr Henry Bowen is an adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Flinders University and the head of research and training at Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), under The Hospital Research Foundation Group. They specialise in how military and first responder cultures and identity influence health and wellbeing, with a focus on delivering practical, evidence-based care solutions through the development of innovative programs. A key focus of their work is advancing postvention services to support families and colleagues affected by suicide within military and first responder communities. Dr Bowen is actively involved in the international transfer of postvention programs and resources, ensuring they are culturally appropriate and effective across diverse settings. In addition to their postvention work, Dr Bowen developed and leads MESHA’s military cultural competency training for civilians, incorporating lived experience facilitators, and developed the Military Informed Cultural Competency (MICC) Scale. They oversee MESHA’s Placement and Supervision program, training students in military-focused research. Their broader research portfolio includes initiatives on veteran mental health and wellbeing, military children’s educational experiences, and understanding the unique needs of minority populations in service communities such as LGBTQIA+ and First Nations.