Melissa McKinlay
Consistent Quality Care Research Assistant, MCRI
Melissa finished her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology in 2018 at Monash University and has since built a strong background in clinical research and consumer engagement. She has previously worked conducting clinical interviews with people experiencing severe mental illness and distress, used diverse research methodologies to contribute to a randomised control trial investigating smoking cessation in the mental health space, and worked with the transformation team at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne to change the way mental health services operate. She has experience in the peer space, helping guide mental health inpatients through the transition to community-based treatment and recovery using a peer support model. She also has experience working with physically disabled people and neurodivergent children to reach their NDIS goals. Melissa is passionate about both equitable access to mental healthcare and the integration of people’s lived experience into the way health care is provided and is excited to help progress this with the Strategy.
Acknowledgement of Country
At Mental Health Central we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, gather and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.