Behind the scenes: Papa Roach at Orygen HQ 🌱
During the band's recent visit to our Melbourne office, it was a pleasure to share a bit about our work, introduce some of the team, and connect on a shared vision of a brighter future for all young people.
The event brought University of Melbourne Psychology students to Orygen to explore our different research areas, learn about post-grad opportunities in youth mental health, and hear directly from our clinical, research and policy teams about their work.
Brilliant to today host the inaugural Orygen Research & Careers Showcase, alongside the Melbourne University Psychology Association team 🌱
Victoria's medical research institutes are delivering groundbreaking, meaningful work – but without sufficient investment, the sector's future is at risk.
We were proud to be at Parliament Gardens with @aamri.bsky.social earlier this week, in support of this important initiative 👇
It follows the 2025 launch of the Taiwanese version of Orygen's @chatsafe.bsky.social guidelines, a project funded by the New Taipei City Government.
More about #chatsafe: bit.ly/4sWN3bc
During the visit, Mayor Hou Yu-Ih and his team connected with research, policy and clinical leaders across Orygen, and toured the Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service's YPARC facility.
We were pleased to welcome Mayor Hou Yu-Ih of New Taipei City and a delegation of senior officials to Orygen this week, to exchange insights about our shared work in youth mental health and suicide prevention.
NEWS | AI for mental health is here – and major new funding will enable an Orygen Digital and University of Melbourne team led by Dr Isabelle Scott to research safer, more fit-for-purpose models.
Details via @sydmorningherald.bsky.social (paywall): bit.ly/3Pnw6It
The headspace model supports young people in over 150 communities across Australia, and has been implemented internationally – including in Denmark.
This visit underscored a shared goal: improved mental health outcomes for all young people, in Australia, Denmark and globally.
Orygen Executive Director, Prof. Patrick McGorry, had the privilege of meeting King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark last week at headspace South Melbourne, alongside headspace CEO Jason Trethowan and the wider team.
The Priority Populations award acknowledges Sam's leadership in developing suicide prevention interventions for international students, who are less likely to seek mental health support than their peers.
To access these resources, visit: bit.ly/4rSY8df
Congratulations to Orygen Senior Research Fellow Dr @sammckay.bsky.social, whose impactful work has been recognised with a 2026 Suicide Prevention Australia VIC LiFE Award!
RESOURCE | Orygen's Suicide Prevention team has developed a set of co-designed recommendations for researchers to use when considering the role of parents and carers of young people involved in suicide research.
Free to access: bit.ly/3MqYAjx
Short-term supports are essential to ensure young people can access the mental health care they deserve.
Orygen’s Brief Intervention Toolkit (BIT) helps equip clinicians to deliver this kind of care. Places are limited for our next one-day online training on 4 March: bit.ly/4avdKfi
The visit comes after headspace Craigieburn was recognised with headspace's 2025 Outstanding Contribution to Student Placement Programs award for their impact in this space.
More on the award: bit.ly/4axTMkj
We were pleased to yesterday welcome The Hon Emma McBride and Basem Abdo MP to headspace Craigieburn, who visited to congratulate the team for their delivery of high-quality student placements, and to see how this is building the workforce that supports young people locally.
Congratulations to the team at headspace Craigieburn on this week receiving a national award for their delivery of high-quality, multidisciplinary student placements – which have supported more than 58 emerging clinicians since 2022 👏
More: bit.ly/4axTMkj
📸: Jordy Scott
Developed by Orygen's suicide prevention team in partnership with young people, #chatsafe is a collection of resources and advice on how to talk about self-harm and suicide safely online.
More from @chatsafe.bsky.social this #SaferInternetDay: bit.ly/4ksOtHs
Orygen's Prof. Patrick McGorry will be joining sector leaders at the First Step Futures Forum next week for an important conversation about what the next 25 years of care could look like.
📍 Wednesday 11 Feb at 3pm
St Kilda Town Hall
Free to register: bit.ly/4b6fKgj
While many young people experience suicidal thoughts and behaviours, it's estimated that fewer than half access support.
Digital tools could help address this, new Orygen research has found: bit.ly/3MdTdUu
A new $770K research grant will advance an important pilot study led by Orygen's Prof. @kelly-allott.bsky.social, which aims to give young people, their families and supporters more say in the treatment decisions that affect them.
Details: bit.ly/4q1XbgU
Orygen recognises 26 January as Survival Day.
In the words of our First Nations team here at Orygen, it's also a reminder that history is created every day, and that by acknowledging the past and committing to learning and action, we can all individually contribute to a better future.
NEWS | Orygen has been appointed to operate a new headspace centre in Moonee Valley, expanding access to free, youth-specific mental health care across Melbourne's north-west.
Details: bit.ly/4sQT2ix
RESEARCH | Delusions in psychosis are shaped by emotions and language, an important new study from @unibirmingham.bsky.social, @unimelb.bsky.social, @york.ac.uk and Orygen has found – challenging old notions about these experiences.
More details + key findings: bit.ly/4pBBgg8
Integrated care can make a real, meaningful difference for young people experiencing mental ill-health and substance use concerns.
First Step is bringing together leading voices including Orygen's Prof. Patrick McGorry to envision the future of care: bit.ly/4b6fKgj
RESEARCH | A new Orygen study has found that of young people who attend headspace centres and use substances, as many as 65% also meet the criteria for substance use disorder – with important implications for early intervention.
More: bit.ly/45vTEQv
LGBTQIA+ people continue to experience significantly higher levels of mental ill-health than heterosexual people, and new research from Orygen and La Trobe University has shown why addressing stigma from every level matters.
Details: bit.ly/4pP6MIy
Over 1.1 million Australians live with an eating disorder – and almost 1 in 3 are under 19. Early intervention saves lives, yet treatments have not improved in decades.
These holidays, you can help change that: bit.ly/4pOSAPi
NEWS | $14m in funding from Wellcome will enable Orygen Digital and @unimelb.bsky.social to create MOST-Nexus, a world-first digital platform combining AI, clinical care, and peer support.
Details: bit.ly/4pII38X
RESEARCH | The advice young men receive after a breakup is often the opposite of what they actually want and need, a new study led by Orygen Research Fellow @michaelwilson1.bsky.social has found.
More: bit.ly/3KK6eob
