Joe Harkness

Joe Harkness
Born(1986-12-23)23 December 1986
King's Lynn, Norfolk, England
Died4 September 2026(2026-09-04) (aged 39)
OccupationsMental health activist, naturalist, writer
Children2

Joe Harkness (23 December 1986 – 4 September 2026) was a British mental health activist, naturalist and writer.

Biography

Harkness was born in King's Lynn, Norfolk on 23 December 1986. His mother was an administrator. In 2013, he attempted suicide, suffering from poor mental health and alcohol abuse. After his suicide attempt, he described birdwatching as one of the "best therapies", and he gained popularity on X for his online blog on bird therapy.

In 2018, Harkness wrote the self-published book Bird Therapy, and his book was translated into five languages. In 2023, he wrote the book Inside/Outside, and in 2025, he wrote the book Neurodivergent, By Nature, published by Bloomsbury Publishing. His book was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize in the category Conservation Writing.

Harkness was married, and had two daughters. He died on 4 September 2026, at the age of 39. He was found in woodland on Cawston Heath, Norfolk. An inquest has opened into his death at Norfolk Coroner's Court. It found that he had died by hanging. A full inquest will occur on 8 December 2026.

References

  1. ↑ "Joe Harkness: I wrote Bird Therapy to share, support and inspire". BBC Science Focus. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Barkham, Patrick (25 September 2026). "Joe Harkness obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  3. 1 2 Douglas-Morris, Nicole (29 August 2019). "'How birds helped me heal from a breakdown'". Positive News. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  4. ↑ Topple, Steve (21 April 2018). "A groundbreaking new book is about to change the way we view mental health therapy". The Canary. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  5. ↑ Barkham, Patrick (25 July 2025). "'Intrinsically connected': how human neurodiversity could help save nature". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  6. ↑ "Joe Harkness". People Forever. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  7. ↑ "Acclaimed Norfolk author and mental health campaigner dies". Europe Says. 18 September 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  8. ↑ Eastern Daily Press 18 September 2026, "Acclaimed Norfolk author and mental health campaigner dies"