Peter Douglas Weller was born in Savanna-La -Mar
and grew up in Kingston, where he attended Mona Preparatory
School and Jamaica College. He subsequently attended the University
of the West Indies before transferring to Howard University
in Washington D.C. in 1977. He graduated from Howard University
with the B.Sc. (Honors) degree in Psychology in 1979. He received
a scholarship to Emory University in Atlanta Ga. to pursue a
combined Masters/Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology, specializing
in Community Psychology and Family Therapy.
His doctoral dissertation was on the use of psychological tests
in the selection of police officers, and the prediction of performance
on the police force. During his final years at Emory he was
also a Research Psychologist with the Centers for Disease Control
(the main public health authority in the USA) in the newly formed
AIDS Programme.
In 1988 Dr. Weller returned to Jamaica to work with the National
HIV/STD Control Programme. As the Clinical Psychologist with
the National Programme Dr. Weller was involved in the development
of behaviour change programmes including the Helpline (a telephone
counselling service), the national Mass media campaigns, Speakers
Bureaus, and Public Relations campaigns targeting the general
public and persons engaging in risky behaviours.
Dr. Weller also spearheaded the development of a coordinated and comprehensive
counselling, and welfare programme for people living with HIV (PLWHIV)
including training for the caregivers and the development of support
groups for people living with HIV. He has liaised with other Government
agencies and NGOs to facilitate an integrated approach to behaviour
change messages and interventions as they address factors influencing
the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
Dr. Weller has served as a consultant and advisor to a number of
agencies, companies and projects including the National Family Planning
Board, the Peace Corps, and Fathers Inc. He has been on the Boards/
Executives of the Jamaica Foundation for Children, The Council of
Voluntary Social Services - Deputy Chairman (CVSS), The National
AIDS Committee, ACOSTRAD (The Association for the Control of Sexually
Transmitted diseases)and Addiction Alert Organization. Dr. Weller
was a Commissioner on the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica. He
was also President of the Jamaica College Old Boys Association and
the Jamaica Psychological Society.
He is married with two children.
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