Dr Jack Melson
- Senior Lecturer (Mental Health & Wellbeing)
Biography
Jack joined the Institute of Health and Wellbeing in December 2014, where he is now a Lecturer in Mental Health. Prior to this role, Jack held research posts at the University of Glasgow and University of Dundee.
He obtained his Ph.D in the psychology of alcohol-misuse prevention from the University of Strathclyde, where he also received BA (Hons) and Masters in Research Methods degree awards in psychology.
He is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, a member of Scottish Government's Distress Brief Intervention Programme Board and between 2017-20 he was an Associate Editor of BMC Pilot and Feasibility Studies.
Research interests
Jack is interested in understanding and improving individual and population health and wellbeing. As a member of Professor Rory O’Connor’s Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory his work seeks to enhance understanding of the aetiology and prevention/management of self-harm, suicidal behaviour and emotional distress; and the translation of this knowledge to develop and implement complex interventions. He is also interested in health behaviour change, particularly alcohol-related behaviour and the design and development of brief interventions for alcohol problems. His current work bring together these interests, with projects focusing on enhancing understanding of the role of alcohol-related factors in self-harm and suicidal behaviour; development, extension and impact of a national Distress Brief Intervention ('DBI') in Scotland; and development and implementation of resources to support organisational and community responses to distress.
Grants
Grants and Awards listed are those received whilst working with the University of Glasgow.
- NIHR Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) Suicide Prevention
National Institute for Health Research
2022 - 2025
- Developing a Distress Brief Intervention
NHS Health Scotland
2016 - 2024
Supervision
Jack welcome's enquiries from potential students on topics relevant to his areas of expertise
Current/recent PGR students and trainees
- Daniel Jon Stopforth
- Vanessa Albrecht
- Nadia Cook
- Krystyna Loney
- Angela Brient
- Lavenda Geschica
- Kirstin Ross
- Annie Wilson
- Unlu, Elvan
The Relationship Between Perfectionism and Suicidal Ideation
Teaching
Jack coordinates the following courses on the Masters in Global Mental Health programme:
- Dissertation (on-campus and distance learning)
- Global Mental Health and Disability: Internatonal Law and Policy (on-campus and distance learning)
Professional activities & recognition
Prizes, awards & distinctions
- 2020: Best Research Supervisor (University of Glasgow Student Representatives Council)
- 2019: Distress Brief Intervention programme - winner in Care for Mental Health category (Scottish Health Awards)
- 2010: Conference presentation commendation (PsyPag)
- 2007: Gustav Jahoda Prize for outstanding academic performance (University of Strathclyde)
Editorial boards
- 2017 - 2020: BMC Pilot and Feasibility Studies (Associate Editor)
Professional & learned societies
- 2017: Chartered Member, British Psychological Society
- 2017: Member, British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology
- 2018: Member, UK Society for Behavioural Medicine