Jonothan Orson – Trial Therapist
Jonothan is a Registered Mental Health Nurse and joined the Psychosis Research Unit in 2018. Jonothan currently works as a Research Care Coordinator on the iATTp trial (Investigation into Attention Training Technique for Psychosis), a feasibility study investigating whether ATT is beneficial for individuals experiencing psychosis.
Jonothan is passionate about engaging service-users in clinical research in order to expand the number of evidence-based treatment options available to individuals within a biopsychosocial and holistic framework. The things Jonothan enjoys most about his job are delivering 1:1 psychological therapy, sharing in participants’ success and building on the evidence base supporting interventions.
Jonothan graduated from the University of Salford in 2016 with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Nursing for which he was awarded a Distinction. During his studies, Jonothan developed nursing skills across a number of clinical specialties including Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Adult and Older Adult Inpatient Acute Care, Forensic Services, Community Services and Early Intervention in Psychosis.
Jonothan studied at Tampere University of Applied Sciences in Finland as part of the Erasmus exchange scheme. Jonothan practiced in outpatient clinics and inpatient services where he explored the differences between nursing practice in the UK and Finland, and enjoyed working with and learning from fellow nurses from across the continent.
After graduating, Jonothan worked as a Staff Nurse within the Trust’s inpatient acute services, acting as Primary Nurse to a caseload of service-users and delivering evidence-based nursing care to individuals experiencing acute mental ill health. Jonothan enjoyed supporting individuals and their families in achieving recovery goals and discharge to the community.
Jonothan completed the Multi-professional Support of Learning and Assessment in Practice qualification and is proud to be a Nurse Mentor. Jonothan enjoys teaching and assessing nursing students during their clinical placements, ensuring that professional standards are maintained and that the future nursing workforce is prepared to meet the needs of people experiencing mental health problems.
Jonothan’s other research interests include male suicide and notions of masculinity in mental health. Jonothan completed a systematic literature review entitled, ‘How Can Registered Mental Health Nurses Prevent Suicide in Men and Boys?’. Jonothan found that although over 75% of suicides in the UK are completed by men, there is a lack of research in this area and that more should be done to proactively engage at-risk males in the community. Services should be provided in male-friendly venues, offering mental health support and practical advice around housing and employment in a way that is non-stigmatising and accessible.
Outside of PRU, Jonothan works as a Senior Clinical Research Nurse within the Trust, working across multiple clinical trials covering a range of mental health problems. Jonothan’s responsibilities include clinical trial coordination, clinical team liaison, completing physical and mental health assessments, follow-ups and maintaining a participant-focused environment in research delivery. Jonothan also continues to work as a Staff Nurse on the Trust Bank in a range of clinical areas.
In his spare time, Jonothan enjoys reading, live music, exercising and traveling.