Patrick McGorry AO is a world-leading researcher in the area of early psychosis and youth mental health. He has played a major role in mental health reform in Australia and many other countries.
Mr McGorry led the successful consortium bid to the Department of Health and Ageing, on behalf of Orygen, University of Melbourne, APS and BMRI/University of Sydney, to design and implement headspace from 2006-2009, prior to it forming an independent company in 2009.
Mr McGorry is the executive director of Orygen, and Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne.
He was previously president of the Society for Mental Health Research; acting chair of the steering committee of the International Association for Youth Mental Health, director of Headstrong which is Ireland's National Youth Mental Health Foundation; president & treasurer of the International Early Psychosis Association; member of the National Mental Health Advisory Committee; and member of the Victorian Government's Mental Health Reform Council.
In 2010, Mr McGorry was named Australian of the Year for his services to youth mental health. He was also appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his efforts to improving mental health services, particularly for Australia’s youth.