Thursday June 25, 2026
“There is a perception in healthcare that we’re always on top of our game and somehow invincible and I’d like to see a little more humanity introduced into healthcare. That’s what will allow for mental health to be more widely accepted.”
Dr Dov Degen OAM is a dual trained Nephrologist and General Medicine Physician at Eastern Health and has been recognised for his longstanding service to medicine and mental health support with an Order of Australia Medal.
A milestone that reflects more than a decade of advocacy and lived experience.
Since 2015, Dr Degen has worked alongside SANE Australia and Beyond Blue, primarily trying to destigmatise the way mental health is perceived amongst healthcare workers and wider society. His focus has been on reducing stigma, encouraging openness, and supporting both healthcare workers and the broader community to seek help when they need it.
Dr Degen, himself diagnosed with bipolar disorder, looks for any platform he can to help propagate his message about discussions on mental health in healthcare workers, from social to radio, to discussion forums. “We know that mental health concerns have a high prevalence and effects 1 in 5 Australians. Research by Beyond Blue, shows that it effects more healthcare workers.”
For Dr Degen, breaking down stigma starts with recognising a simple truth, that behind every role, every title, and every uniform, there is a person. His message to students and healthcare workers who may be struggling is clear and compassionate:
“We’re all people at the end of the day. We all have things going on in our lives, whether work-related or personal. It’s okay to experience mental health challenges. With the right support, you can get the help you need, and things can get better.”
