Dave Wilson is a Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager at a university in the United Kingdom, where he leads a multidisciplinary team of counsellors, psychotherapists, and mental health practitioners.

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His career trajectory commenced in health and social care statutory services, a field he served for 14 years. During this period of time, he worked within the National Health Service (NHS) in an acute community adult mental health team serving a community living in a remote and rural part of Northern England as a Dual Diagnosis Project Worker within two Assertive Outreach Teams and a Substance Misuse Team to support clients with dual substance misuse issues and severe and enduring mental health conditions. Dave’s experience also includes NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health in inner-city areas, employed as a Tier 4 detox liaison worker and young men’s sexual health, HIV+ support services and street-based youth work.

 

In 2007, Dave progressed to applying his skills, knowledge and experience within the higher education sector – a setting he has now worked in for 14 years, within 3 higher education institutes (HEIs).

 

His reputation as a credible, experienced and knowledgeable leader in student affairs, particularly in student counselling and mental health services, has led him to be called upon as a consultant for other HEIs, to review their services and make key recommendations for service development.

 

He is an active member of UMHAN (University Mental Health Adviser Network) and AMOSSHE (Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education). Respected by his peers as a credible thought leader, Dave has presented at regional, national, international and online conferences on a variety of key issues relating to student affairs; on subjects including anti-discriminatory practice, fitness to study, progress monitoring and outcome measures in counselling, suicide prevention, and students of concern.

 

In 2015, Dave was invited to lend his international perspective and expertise as an editorial board member of J-BIT the Journal of Behavioral Intervention.

 

Dave’s knowledge and expertise on the topic of student suicide prevention and intervention has demonstrated impact at national level and has been adopted to highlight good practice within three good practice guides in the UK, including a national report by a Select Committee at the House of Commons (the seat of UK Government).

 

Dave is also regularly invited to guest lecture on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including Social Work, Youth Work, Advance Nurse Practitioner and Counselling and Psychotherapy.

 

Dave is a qualified Social Worker and has a Masters in Evidence Based Practitioner Development. He has also studied at postgraduate level in interprofessional practice, and in Evidenced Based Psychological Approaches.

 

When not working Dave loves to spend time with his family (his wife, sons and dog) and resides in an area of outstanding beauty close to the Lake District and coast of North West England. He enjoys maintaining his fitness through running, cycling, and home fitness. He is also a passionate gardener.

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