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Professor Helen Herrman, Director of Research at Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and Dr Magenta Simmons, Youth Partnerships in Research Coordinator at Orygen, have both been recognised with awards at the 2015 TheMHS conference.

Prof Herrman was awarded the Exceptional Contribution Award for her extraordinary and ongoing contribution to mental health services both nationally and internationally. Dr Magenta Simmons was the recipient of the Early Career Research in Mental Health Award for Excellence, for her leading work in shared decision-making for young people with mental ill-health.
 
In a ceremony in Canberra today, The Hon Dr Kay Patterson presented the awards as part of the 2015 TheMHS Learning Network Conference, an event that brings together people interested in improving mental health care and systems in Australia and New Zealand.
 
President elect of the World Psychiatric Association, Professor Helen Herrman was presented with the ‘Exceptional Contribution’ award in recognition of her extraordinary and ongoing contribution to mental health service reform on the local, national and international stage. Prof Herrman has acted as a tireless champion for best practice in mental health care with accomplishments that underlie major advances in scholarship, academic development and clinical practice. The award represents an acknowledgement of an exceptional contribution, the results of which will flow on to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of all.
 
Dr Magenta Simmons was awarded the inaugural ‘Early Career Research in Mental Health Award for Excellence’ in recognition of her main body of evidence-based work that focuses on shared decision-making. Her research explores how young people can be meaningfully involved as collaborators in research projects, as consumers in clinical decision making about their own care, and as peer workers supporting other young people with mental ill-health.
 
Executive Director of Orygen Professor Patrick McGorry AO says ‘we are delighted and honoured as an organisation to have two of our leading researchers recognised and awarded for the outstanding work they are doing in the area of youth mental health. As The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Orygen continues to lead the world in mental health research and innovation, promoting better outcomes for young people with mental ill-health.'