As we count down to the TheMHS Sydney Forum 2026, we’re excited to continue our interview series spotlighting the speakers who will help shape the conversation around help when you need it – urgent and crisis support in mental health.
In these short, light-touch interviews, we invite speakers to share their perspectives, experiences, and the insights that guide their work — offering a chance to get to know the people behind the presentations ahead of the Forum.
We’re pleased to introduce Melissa Goldman, whose work and voice will contribute to critical discussions on crisis response, support, and care when it matters most.
BIOGRAPHY
Melissa Goldman is a Carer Peer Trainer at Mental Health Carers NSW (MHCN). As a mental health carer, Melissa draws deeply on her personal journey to create safe and engaging learning spaces for carers, families, and kinship groups. In addition to her carer experience, Melissa holds a PhD in Psychology, providing her with a strong academic and evidence-based understanding of mental health theory and practice.
Prior to commencing at MHCN last year, Melissa worked in the child rights space, both at the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People and the Australian Human Rights Commission. In these roles, she consulted with children and young people on issues that affect them, including mental health, and worked to elevate their voices to government decision-makers.
Melissa’s move to MHCN was inspired by the desire to use her lived experience as a mental health carer to provide hope, support and empowerment to other carers.
What drew you to this work, and what keeps you committed to it?
I am passionate about sharing my carer experiences to challenge mental health stigma, promote greater understanding of mental health conditions, and encourage individuals to seek the support they need. I am deeply committed to carer capacity development, empowering carers with knowledge, skills, and confidence to advocate for themselves and those they support.
What is a resource you think more people should know about?
I’m going to suggest two great resources for mental health carers to learn about how to advocate for themselves and their loved ones. The first is MHCN’s Carer Advocacy Toolkit (https://www.mentalhealthcarersnsw.org/resources/carer-advocacy-toolkit/).
The second is the Carers self-advocacy handbook developed by the WA Department of Communities. It provides great tips to help carers self-advocate and look after themselves (https://helpingminds.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Carers-self-advocacy-handbook.pdf).
What is a wellbeing activity or practice that is a staple in your life?
I love to read and always have a book on the go. For me, reading is a great way to shut out the pressures and worries of daily life. I am currently reading The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai and highly recommend it for those that haven’t read it.
If someone were hearing about your organisation for the first time, what’s the one thing you’d want them to know?
If you are a mental health carer, MHCN offers a range of avenues to support, empower and build your capacity to thrive in your caring roles. You can join our Mental Health
Carer Advocacy Network, attend our monthly carer connection meetings and register for one or more of our online and in-person training modules. All of the ways to engage with us are on our website (https://www.mentalhealthcarersnsw.org/).
What will your TheMHS Sydney Forum presentation focus on?
Jonathan and Melissa from Mental Health Carers NSW (MHCN) draw from their own and other mental health carer’s lived experience to outline what good crisis responses look like from the experiences and perspectives of mental health carers and family members across New South Wales.
