“Had talk therapy been more fiscally and physically accessible to me in my postpartum period, perhaps I’d be telling a different story about my transition from maidenhood to motherhood.”

Melissa Granville was nearly ten months pregnant in June 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, she was working on a study on Chicago Public Schools through U-M’s Institute for Social Research, but the study fell through due to school closures. Though the Institute for Social Research ultimately helped her secure a remote survey design specialist position, Melissa felt profoundly insecure and isolated during this time in her life. She struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety after the birth of her daughter and had difficulty finding the help she needed. Melissa writes, “Had talk therapy been more fiscally and physically accessible to me in my postpartum period, perhaps I’d be telling a different story about my transition from maidenhood to motherhood.”

But Melissa realized that her own experience as a Black biracial mother could help her empower others. Melissa is currently pursuing a Master in Social Work from U-M. She had previously earned a bachelor’s degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience from U-M in 2017. In her graduate program, Melissa looks forward to building a strong foundation of knowledge and skills in social work.

After graduation, Melissa will pursue her Texas clinical social work license in the Austin metro area. Her vision is to open a psychotherapy practice focused on helping couples and women, particularly women in their postpartum periods who are navigating changing relationships to themselves and their partners. Melissa is passionate about making mental health care more accessible to BIPOC women, and she works to understand the “complex social, economic, and political issues” that impact their lives and mental health. Melissa is also a dedicated mother, endeavoring always to be someone her daughter “can look to for guidance and rely on for stability and security in her life.”

CEW+ recognizes Melissa’s vision and names her a Margaret Dow Towsley Scholar.