Melissa E. Smith, PhD, MSSW

Melissa E. Smith, PhD, MSSW, is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Her research examines community integration for individuals with serious mental illnesses and the intersection of psychosis, race, and sociocultural factors. Her work advances socially just, culturally responsive mental health interventions including early psychosis treatment. She has published widely on stigma, structural oppression, and mental health recovery, particularly among Black adults and other marginalized populations. Through qualitative research, Dr. Smith seeks to dismantle systemic inequities in mental health services and improve outcomes for historically underserved communities.