Mélissa Macalli, nurse by training, Inserm researcher in epidemiology at the Bordeaux Population Health (BPH) research center in Bordeaux, is one of the 35 researchers awarded the Young Talents France 2024 Prize from the L’Oréal-UNESCO Foundation For Women and Science. A great recognition of his remarkable journey, marked by the desire for better care of the mental health of young adults.
A trained nurse, Mélissa Macalli worked for twelve years in different public and private hospitals. His experience as a nurse at Saint-Anne hospital, in a psychiatric ward, confronted him with the first signs of mental pathologies in young adults, reinforcing his conviction that suicides and suicidal behavior could be avoided with proper support. adequate and early management of psychiatric illnesses. She then turned to humanitarian work by joining the NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) as project coordinator in crisis zones, particularly in Iraq and Guinea. His commitment within the NGO MSF, reveals the importance of taking into account the mental health of young people in humanitarian projects. In particular, she participates in psychological support projects for children, adolescents and young mothers in Syrian refugee camps.
“I wanted to train in public health to have a more global vision and to work at the population level”she tells us. It is also a way of combining clinical experience with a scientific approach based on evidence to improve patient care. A decision which led him to resume studies in public health in Bordeaux and then to pursue a doctorate at the BPH research center on suicidal behavior among young adults, and particularly among the student population, in the midst of the Covid-19 epidemic. Research work whose context underlines the importance since this period is associated with an overall deterioration in the mental health of young people. A subject that has been declared a national priority.
Ten years after returning to study, Mélissa Macalli then obtained her thesis in epidemiology, a journey that she did not initially imagine would take so long. After 2 years of post-doctoral work within the same team, she has just obtained a position as an Inserm research officer in order to respond to the psychological suffering of young adults and provide appropriate solutions.
“The concrete application of Mélissa Macalli’s research consists of the creation of a system for the early detection and prevention of psychological distress and suicidal behavior, which could be offered upon entry into university in order to guide and to facilitate access to care. »
Read more on the Inserm website
• Photo of Mélissa Macalli from her Linkedin profile
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