About Us
We believe that all young people deserve to grow into adulthood with optimal mental health. Everything we do is focused on that outcome.
Most mental health disorders begin between the early teens to the mid-20s. One in five young people will have experienced a depressive episode by the time they turn 18. We believe in treating early and focusing on recovery. Pioneering reform to deliver real-world practical solutions. Never settling for anything less than what young people need and deserve.
Our research is world-leading, impactful and creates change. Working directly with young people, their families and friends, we pioneer new, positive approaches to the prevention and treatment of mental disorders.
We advocate. We make sure that policy makers understand the need and cost of mental ill-health in young people.
We educate. We use our research and evidence-based practice to develop innovative training programs and resources.
Our goal? To see young people with mental ill-health getting well and staying well. Now that’s a revolution in mind.
How Orygen got its name
Our name was created in collaboration with young people. It signals an early intervention approach – treating disorders at their origin. The Y in Orygen is for ‘youth’ and ‘gen’ represents the youth generation.
As the ORiginal mental health organisation devoted entirely to the Youth GENeration, we are Orygen.
Our home
Our home is a true reflection of our leading role in youth mental health.
Purpose-built and co-designed with more than 160 young people, our Parkville facility allows for an integrated translational research institute and innovative platform for preventive clinical care in young people.
This world class building was made possible through the vision and support of so many. We are incredibly grateful to the Victorian Government, The Colonial Foundation, The University of Melbourne, the Australian Government and The Ian Potter Foundation. Your generous support and funding means we can do more for young people. Thank you.
We are
- A not-for-profit company limited by guarantee.
- A charitable entity with Deductible Gift Recipient Status.
- An approved research institute.
We’re led by a Board of Directors, and Board operations are informed and supported by an Audit and Risk Committee and a Scientific Advisory Committee.
Our Executive Director Professor Patrick McGorry leads the Executive, which is responsible for delivering our Strategic Plan and managing all aspects of our daily operations.
Statement of commitment
Orygen acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands we are on and pays respect to their Elders past and present. Orygen recognises and respects their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationships to Country, which continue to be important to the First Nations people living today.
Read our Statement of Commitment to the First Nations of Australia.
Child Safety Statement of Commitment
Orygen is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of all children. We play an important role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of children and do not tolerate child abuse. All allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously, reported and investigated. Orygen is committed to listening respectfully at all times to children and advocating for their right to feel and be safe, valued and protected.
All children and young people who are supported by Orygen have the right to feel and be safe. Orygen is committed to the principles of cultural safety and inclusion of children from diverse backgrounds and to the safety and inclusion of children with disability, and we recognise that these principles support the safety of all children.
Every person involved at Orygen has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do. We aim to create a culture of child safety that reduces opportunity for harm and provides our staff with a clear process to follow when child safety concerns are raised.
Orygen delivers all care in accordance with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act (2022).