William Wan

Washington, D.C.

Enterprise reporter

Education: University of Chicago, BA in English literature; University of Maryland, MA in Journalism

William Wan is an enterprise reporter focused on narrative and high-impact stories at The Washington Post. He often writes about mental health and people suffering on the margins of society. His coverage of mental health during the pandemic contributed to U.S. government action and an unprecedented increased in federal funding. In the past two decades, he has reported from more than 20 countries, covering religion, national security, the Obama presidency, mass shootings and disasters. As The Post's China correspondent, he uncovered corruption in the judicial system and exposed government abuse
Latest from William Wan

Kentucky lawmakers pass major anti-trans law, overriding governor’s veto

The new law bans access to gender-affirming health care for trans children, restricts which bathrooms they use and more.

March 29, 2023

She lost her trans son to suicide. Can a Kentucky lawmaker make her colleagues care?

Eight weeks after the death of Karen Berg’s son, Henry, she’s fighting a flood of anti-transgender bills in the Kentucky Senate

March 25, 2023

‘What if Yale finds out?’

“Post Reports” looks at why students were asked to leave Yale University while they were having mental health crises.

February 21, 2023

Yale changes mental health policies for students in crisis

The university had been under attack for pressuring students in crisis to withdraw instead of providing ways to help them to remain on campus.

January 19, 2023

We told their stories in 2022. Here’s what happened after we published.

As 2022 came to a close, Metro reporters revisited the stories they told this year — and found out where the people they wrote about are now, after attention shifted elsewhere.

December 31, 2022

Yale accused of discriminating against students with mental illness

Yale students and alumni allege that the university pressures those who are suicidal or struggling with mental health problems to withdraw

November 30, 2022

Six dead as Walmart mass killing reboots horror and grief in Virginia

The shooting in Chesapeake comes as the country is still absorbing other fatal shootings, including the killing of three University of Virginia students 10 days ago.

November 23, 2022

Gunman who killed 6 at Virginia Walmart was store employee; victims’ names released

Chesapeake Police said early Wednesday that six people were killed in the attack and that the shooter also died.

November 23, 2022

What was U-Va. shooting suspect’s motive? Clues offer possibilities.

Christopher Jones Jr. is facing three counts of second-degree murder and other charges in connection with the shooting.

November 19, 2022

Yale defends mental health policies under fire from students, alumni

Yale’s president said a Washington Post story about suicidal students being forced to withdraw ‘misrepresents our efforts," but also promised improved mental health services and other possible changes

November 17, 2022