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. 

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2012 | 2011
Number of items: 24.

2025

Melson, A. J. , Wetherall, K. , O’Neill, K., Maxwell, M., Calveley, E., McCoy, M. and O'Connor, R. C. (2025) Development of a national Distress Brief Intervention: a multi-agency service to provide connected, compassionate support for people in distress. BMC Health Services Research, 25, 478. (doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-12469-3)

Langan Martin, J. , Went, K. J., Greenwood, S. , Sharp, L. , Wilson, M. , Foley, A. and Melson, A. (2025) Reducing stigma and discrimination: a case study of a ‘Human Library' Reading event. Equity in Education and Society, (doi: 10.1177/27526461251329372) (Early Online Publication)

Komu, C. K., Ngigi, M. and Melson, A. .J. (2025) Barriers and facilitators to accessing mental health services for adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. Mental Health Science, 3(1), e70006. (doi: 10.1002/mhs2.70006)

2024

Langan-Martin, J. , Melson, A. , Imbur, R. and Houston, C. (2024) Cultivating Inclusive Peer Support for Post- Graduate Taught (PGT) Dissertation Success: A Pilot Project. The International Conference on Education, Al Ain, 2nd and 3rd of October 2024.

McLean, J. et al. (2024) Impact of a Distress Brief Intervention on suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and self-harm in the immediate, short and longer term: a mixed method evaluation study protocol. NIHR Open Research, 4, 33. (doi: 10.3310/nihropenres.13592.1)

Langan-Martin, J. , Sharp, L. and Melson, J. (2024) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Global Mental Health: a Human Library Reading Event. 2024 Institute for Educational and Social Equity Annual Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, 02 May 2024.

2023

O'Connor, D. B. et al. (2023) Effects of COVID-19-related worry and rumination on mental health and loneliness during the pandemic: longitudinal analyses of adults in the UK COVID-19 mental health & wellbeing study. Journal of Mental Health, 32(6), pp. 1122-1133. (doi: 10.1080/09638237.2022.2069716) (PMID:35579054)

2022

Wetherall, K. et al. (2022) Mental health and well-being during the second wave of COVID-19: longitudinal analyses of the UK COVID-19 Mental Health and Wellbeing study (UK COVID-MH). BJPsych Open, 8(4), e103. (doi: 10.1192/bjo.2022.58) (PMID:35642377) (PMCID:PMC9171032)

2021

O'Connor, R. C. et al. (2021) Mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal analyses of adults in the UK COVID-19 Mental Health & Wellbeing study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 218(6), pp. 326-333. (doi: 10.1192/bjp.2020.212) (PMID:33081860) (PMCID:PMC7684009)

Zortea, T. C. , Cleare, S. , Wetherall, K. , Melson, A. J. and O'Connor, R. C. (2021) On suicide risk: from psychological processes to clinical assessment and intervention. In: Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology. Elsevier. ISBN 9780128093245 (doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-818697-8.00073-X)

2020

Zortea, T. C. , Cleare, S. , Melson, A. J. , Wetherall, K. and O'Connor, R. C. (2020) Understanding and managing suicide risk. British Medical Bulletin, 134(1), pp. 73-84. (doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldaa013) (PMID:32435794)

2019

Melson, A. J. and O'Connor, R. C. (2019) Differentiating adults who think about self-harm from those who engage in self-harm: the role of volitional alcohol factors. BMC Psychiatry, 19, 319. (doi: 10.1186/s12888-019-2292-3)

Kirtley, O. J., Melson, A. J. and O'Connor, R. C. (2019) Future-oriented constructs and their role in suicidal ideation and enactment. In: Hirsch, Jameson K., Chang, Edward C. and Kelliher Rabon, Jessica (eds.) A Positive Psychological Approach to Suicide. Series: Advances in mental health and addiction. Springer: Cham, pp. 17-36. ISBN 9783030032241 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-03225-8_2)

2018

Crombie, I. K. et al. (2018) Texting to Reduce Alcohol Misuse (TRAM): main findings from a randomised controlled trial of a text message intervention to reduce binge drinking among disadvantaged men. Addiction, 113(9), pp. 1609-1618. (doi: 10.1111/add.14229) (PMID:29855105)

Irvine, L., Melson, A. J. , Williams, B., Sniehotta, F. F., Humphris, G. and Crombie, I. K. (2018) Design and development of a complex narrative intervention delivered by text messages to reduce binge drinking among socially disadvantaged men. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 4, 105. (doi: 10.1186/s40814-018-0298-0)

Crombie, I. K. et al. (2018) Text message intervention to reduce frequency of binge drinking among disadvantaged men: the TRAM RCT. Public Health Research, 6(6), pp. 1-156. (doi: 10.3310/phr06060) (PMID:29927564)

Irvine, L., Crombie, I. K., Swanson, V., Dimova, E. D., Melson, A. J. , Fraser, T. M., Barbour, R., Rice, P. M. and Allan, S. (2018) Design and feasibility testing of a novel group intervention for young women who binge drink in groups. PLoS ONE, 13(3), e0193434. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193434) (PMID:29494683) (PMCID:PMC5832245)

2017

Irvine, L. et al. (2017) Modifying alcohol consumption to reduce obesity: a randomized controlled feasibility study of a complex community-based intervention for men. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 52(6), pp. 677-684. (doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agx067) (PMID:29016701)

Irvine, L., Melson, A. J. , Williams, B., Sniehotta, F. F., McKenzie, A., Jones, C. and Crombie, I. K. (2017) Real time monitoring of engagement with a text message intervention to reduce binge drinking among men living in socially disadvantaged areas of Scotland. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 24(5), pp. 713-721. (doi: 10.1007/s12529-017-9666-z)

Crombie, I. K. et al. (2017) Modifying Alcohol Consumption to Reduce Obesity (MACRO): development and feasibility trial of a complex community-based intervention for men. Health Technology Assessment, 21(19), (doi: 10.3310/hta21190) (PMID:28414020)

2016

Melson, A. J. , Monk, R. L. and Heim, D. (2016) Self-other differences in student drinking norms research: the role of impression management, self-deception and measurement methodology. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 40(12), pp. 2639-2647. (doi: 10.1111/acer.13241) (PMID:27699801)

2012

Melson, A. J. and Davies, J. B. (2012) Interpreting questionnaire design effects: an update on Melson et al. (2011). Addiction, 107(10), pp. 1883-1884. (doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03988.x) (PMID:22962960)

Martinus, T., Melson, A. J. , Davies, J. B. and Mclaughlin, A. (2012) The ‘social norms’ approach to alcohol misuse prevention: Testing transferability in a Scottish secondary school context. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 19(2), pp. 111-119. (doi: 10.3109/09687637.2011.627066)

2011

Melson, A. J. , Davies, J. B. and Martinus, T. (2011) Overestimation of peer drinking: error of judgement or methodological artefact? Addiction, 106(6), pp. 1078-1084. (doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03392.x) (PMID:21306598)

This list was generated on Sat Apr 19 00:16:18 2025 BST.
Jump to: Articles | Book Sections | Conference or Workshop Item
Number of items: 24.

Articles

Melson, A. J. , Wetherall, K. , O’Neill, K., Maxwell, M., Calveley, E., McCoy, M. and O'Connor, R. C. (2025) Development of a national Distress Brief Intervention: a multi-agency service to provide connected, compassionate support for people in distress. BMC Health Services Research, 25, 478. (doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-12469-3)

Langan Martin, J. , Went, K. J., Greenwood, S. , Sharp, L. , Wilson, M. , Foley, A. and Melson, A. (2025) Reducing stigma and discrimination: a case study of a ‘Human Library' Reading event. Equity in Education and Society, (doi: 10.1177/27526461251329372) (Early Online Publication)

Komu, C. K., Ngigi, M. and Melson, A. .J. (2025) Barriers and facilitators to accessing mental health services for adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. Mental Health Science, 3(1), e70006. (doi: 10.1002/mhs2.70006)

McLean, J. et al. (2024) Impact of a Distress Brief Intervention on suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and self-harm in the immediate, short and longer term: a mixed method evaluation study protocol. NIHR Open Research, 4, 33. (doi: 10.3310/nihropenres.13592.1)

O'Connor, D. B. et al. (2023) Effects of COVID-19-related worry and rumination on mental health and loneliness during the pandemic: longitudinal analyses of adults in the UK COVID-19 mental health & wellbeing study. Journal of Mental Health, 32(6), pp. 1122-1133. (doi: 10.1080/09638237.2022.2069716) (PMID:35579054)

Wetherall, K. et al. (2022) Mental health and well-being during the second wave of COVID-19: longitudinal analyses of the UK COVID-19 Mental Health and Wellbeing study (UK COVID-MH). BJPsych Open, 8(4), e103. (doi: 10.1192/bjo.2022.58) (PMID:35642377) (PMCID:PMC9171032)

O'Connor, R. C. et al. (2021) Mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal analyses of adults in the UK COVID-19 Mental Health & Wellbeing study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 218(6), pp. 326-333. (doi: 10.1192/bjp.2020.212) (PMID:33081860) (PMCID:PMC7684009)

Zortea, T. C. , Cleare, S. , Melson, A. J. , Wetherall, K. and O'Connor, R. C. (2020) Understanding and managing suicide risk. British Medical Bulletin, 134(1), pp. 73-84. (doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldaa013) (PMID:32435794)

Melson, A. J. and O'Connor, R. C. (2019) Differentiating adults who think about self-harm from those who engage in self-harm: the role of volitional alcohol factors. BMC Psychiatry, 19, 319. (doi: 10.1186/s12888-019-2292-3)

Crombie, I. K. et al. (2018) Texting to Reduce Alcohol Misuse (TRAM): main findings from a randomised controlled trial of a text message intervention to reduce binge drinking among disadvantaged men. Addiction, 113(9), pp. 1609-1618. (doi: 10.1111/add.14229) (PMID:29855105)

Irvine, L., Melson, A. J. , Williams, B., Sniehotta, F. F., Humphris, G. and Crombie, I. K. (2018) Design and development of a complex narrative intervention delivered by text messages to reduce binge drinking among socially disadvantaged men. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 4, 105. (doi: 10.1186/s40814-018-0298-0)

Crombie, I. K. et al. (2018) Text message intervention to reduce frequency of binge drinking among disadvantaged men: the TRAM RCT. Public Health Research, 6(6), pp. 1-156. (doi: 10.3310/phr06060) (PMID:29927564)

Irvine, L., Crombie, I. K., Swanson, V., Dimova, E. D., Melson, A. J. , Fraser, T. M., Barbour, R., Rice, P. M. and Allan, S. (2018) Design and feasibility testing of a novel group intervention for young women who binge drink in groups. PLoS ONE, 13(3), e0193434. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193434) (PMID:29494683) (PMCID:PMC5832245)

Irvine, L. et al. (2017) Modifying alcohol consumption to reduce obesity: a randomized controlled feasibility study of a complex community-based intervention for men. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 52(6), pp. 677-684. (doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agx067) (PMID:29016701)

Irvine, L., Melson, A. J. , Williams, B., Sniehotta, F. F., McKenzie, A., Jones, C. and Crombie, I. K. (2017) Real time monitoring of engagement with a text message intervention to reduce binge drinking among men living in socially disadvantaged areas of Scotland. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 24(5), pp. 713-721. (doi: 10.1007/s12529-017-9666-z)

Crombie, I. K. et al. (2017) Modifying Alcohol Consumption to Reduce Obesity (MACRO): development and feasibility trial of a complex community-based intervention for men. Health Technology Assessment, 21(19), (doi: 10.3310/hta21190) (PMID:28414020)

Melson, A. J. , Monk, R. L. and Heim, D. (2016) Self-other differences in student drinking norms research: the role of impression management, self-deception and measurement methodology. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 40(12), pp. 2639-2647. (doi: 10.1111/acer.13241) (PMID:27699801)

Melson, A. J. and Davies, J. B. (2012) Interpreting questionnaire design effects: an update on Melson et al. (2011). Addiction, 107(10), pp. 1883-1884. (doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03988.x) (PMID:22962960)

Martinus, T., Melson, A. J. , Davies, J. B. and Mclaughlin, A. (2012) The ‘social norms’ approach to alcohol misuse prevention: Testing transferability in a Scottish secondary school context. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 19(2), pp. 111-119. (doi: 10.3109/09687637.2011.627066)

Melson, A. J. , Davies, J. B. and Martinus, T. (2011) Overestimation of peer drinking: error of judgement or methodological artefact? Addiction, 106(6), pp. 1078-1084. (doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03392.x) (PMID:21306598)

Book Sections

Zortea, T. C. , Cleare, S. , Wetherall, K. , Melson, A. J. and O'Connor, R. C. (2021) On suicide risk: from psychological processes to clinical assessment and intervention. In: Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology. Elsevier. ISBN 9780128093245 (doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-818697-8.00073-X)

Kirtley, O. J., Melson, A. J. and O'Connor, R. C. (2019) Future-oriented constructs and their role in suicidal ideation and enactment. In: Hirsch, Jameson K., Chang, Edward C. and Kelliher Rabon, Jessica (eds.) A Positive Psychological Approach to Suicide. Series: Advances in mental health and addiction. Springer: Cham, pp. 17-36. ISBN 9783030032241 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-03225-8_2)

Conference or Workshop Item

Langan-Martin, J. , Melson, A. , Imbur, R. and Houston, C. (2024) Cultivating Inclusive Peer Support for Post- Graduate Taught (PGT) Dissertation Success: A Pilot Project. The International Conference on Education, Al Ain, 2nd and 3rd of October 2024.

Langan-Martin, J. , Sharp, L. and Melson, J. (2024) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Global Mental Health: a Human Library Reading Event. 2024 Institute for Educational and Social Equity Annual Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, 02 May 2024.

This list was generated on Sat Apr 19 00:16:18 2025 BST.

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 Geshica
  • Kirstin Ross
  • Annie Wilson
  • Unlu, Elvan
    Towards an Enhanced Understanding of Suicide Risk through the Lens of the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicide

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

Jack head

Dr Jack Melson on Twitter