Orygen's research excellence was showcased the 2023 Society for Mental Health Research conference (SMHR) in Perth, claiming awards in three of 11 categories.
Professor Sue Cotton’s 21-year career in research excellence was recognised with the prestigious 2023 Oration Award, awarded to prominent figures in the Australian and New Zealand psychiatric research community. Dr Kate Filia’s work on the impact of social exclusion in youth mental health earned her the Professor Helen Herrman Award, and Dr Jennifer Nicholas's critical work translating research into real-world settings was honoured with the Australian Rotary Health Award.
Professor Patrick McGorry, Executive Director of Orygen, said he was immensely proud of the achievements of all the award-winners.
“These awards reflect Orygen’s commitment to excellence in youth mental health research and reaffirms our dedication to innovation, collaboration, and translating research into tangible solutions,” he said.
“As we celebrate these achievements, we will continue to push boundaries to make a meaningful impact on the mental health and well-being of our young people.”
Professor Cotton’s research has largely focused on better understanding the needs of young people facing mental illness and identifying the best ways to support them and their families.
She said she was honoured to receive the award and thanked the SMHR and those who have supported her, particularly her team.
“It is truly a privilege to be recognised for my research and leadership in youth mental health, and to join the ranks of past recipients who have inspired me throughout my career,” she said.
Prof. Cotton is also a past recipient of the TheMHS Learning Network Inc. Tom Trauer Award for Excellence in Mental Health, and this latest honour comes as she prepares to join Monash Psychology in 2024.
Dr Filia was particularly enthused by what her award said about work focused on advancing understanding of social mental health.
“This award reinforces the importance of research that addresses social determinants, and to develop and advocate for holistic approaches to mental health care – going beyond clinical symptoms and encompassing the broader social determinants affecting individuals,” she said.
Dr Nicholas was recognised for the implementation work behind the rollout of MOST, a digital mental health intervention for young people.
“This award is not just about me; I would also like to acknowledge the work of my colleagues in the ATLAS research and MOST implementation teams here at Orygen,” she said.
“The mental health system of the future will include technology, and our work takes a step towards this today. By improving integration of the digital platform MOST in youth mental health services, we provide young people access to mental health support at their fingertips.”