Statewide Mental Illness Learning Exchange

Orygen

Orygen provides specialist mental health services for young people aged 15 to 25 who reside in the western and north-western regions of metropolitan Melbourne Working with young people our partners and one another, we’re redefining what’s possible in global youth mental health research, policy, education and clinical care. Learn more at www.orygen.org.au

Contact Orygen

Phone: 03 9966 9100
Address: 35 Poplar Rd, Parkville VIC 3052 Australia
Hours: 9am-5pm (AEST)

We currently only operate clinical services in the north and north west of Melbourne through our headspace centres.

Leading the revolution in youth mental health

At Orygen 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.

Orygen

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Does Orygen offer acute care?

Orygen’s clinical care program is comprised of three parts:

  • Acute services (including a 16-bed inpatient unit).
  • Continuing care – specialised care for young people experiencing severe and/or complex mental illness, including psychotic (including young people at ‘ultra-high risk’ of psychosis), mood, personality, substance use, eating, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Training and consultation – support for health professionals and teams to improve their understanding of youth mental health, and to promote the capacity of services to support young people in the community.
Does orygen offer family support?

Families that are new to Orygen Youth Health Clinical Program (OYHCP) can talk with a family peer support worker — another family member who has cared for someone who has used OYHCP services. It is often reassuring to talk to a family peer support worker, as you can share your experiences.

Family peer support workers offer telephone and face-to-face support, based on their own experiences of having a relative with a mental illness. Family peer support workers are not mental health clinicians. They offer the opportunity for one parent to talk to another — someone who can listen and provide emotional support, as well as information and referral. Family peer support workers are available for support in the Family Resource Room at Parkville, and at Youth Access Team and the Inpatient Unit in Footscray.

What rights do young people and their families have?

All young people and their families have a right to expert and professional healthcare.

Other rights include:

  • The right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be free from any form of harassment
  • To be provided with information about rights, mental health issues, treatment options and the availability of appropriate services
  • To participate as much as possible in decisions about the kind of care and support that is provided
  • To have the support of family, friends or advocates
  • To have an interpreter, if needed
  • To have privacy and confidentiality respected
  • To obtain a second opinion

Family members and clients also have responsibilities. These include:

  • Cooperating, as much as possible, with the staff providing care.  This includes providing accurate information about what’s going on for your family member
  • To respect the safety, privacy and dignity of other people, whether they’re staff, other clients, other families and friends

Other information is in our Rights and Responsibilities (PDF) factsheet

With special thanks to

Many people have contributed to the development of this project through research, focus groups, advice, information and ideas. We would like to acknowledge and thank all who have contributed and supported us in our endeavor.

Orygen Youth Health Parkville VIC

Professor Patrick McGorry AO Executive Director of Orygen. Professor of Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne. NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow. President, International Association for Youth Mental Health

Caroline Crlenjak National Projects Manager, Research and Translation
Helen Nicoll Acting National Project Manager, Research and Translation
Adrien Powning Creative Services Manager

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If you are having thoughts of suicide, or severe self-harm please follow your crisis plan. If you do not have a crisis plan please call your treating clinician, therapist, general practitioner, one of the numbers listed below or go to the Emergency Department of the nearest hospital. In a life-threatening emergency ring 000.
 
Phone numbers and other supports that can be contacted in a crisis:
Life Line: 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au
Sane Helpline: 1800 187 263 | www.sane.org

If you are having thoughts of suicide, or severe self-harm please follow your crisis plan. If you do not have a crisis plan please call your treating clinician, therapist, general practitioner, one of the numbers listed below or go to the Emergency Department of the nearest hospital. In a life-threatening emergency ring 000. Phone numbers and other supports that can be contacted in a crisis: Life Line: 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au    Sane Helpline: 1800 187 263 | www.sane.org