News
The latest research and innovations in the fields of depression and bipolar disorders.
Announcing the 2025 Orley Award Recipients
Sarah Acree
Image
Two remarkable student advocates were recognized as this year’s George Orley Student Mental Health Advocate awardees at the 2025 Mental Health on College Campuses Conference. Adon Vazquez of Wayne State University and Lillie Birnie of the University of Michigan were nominated by their peers and colleagues for their passion and outstanding commitment to improving mental health on campus and throughout their communities.
Nearly 150 people attended the award ceremony at Palmer Commons, including conference attendees, U-M faculty and staff, past Orley Award recipients, and the family of the late George Orley. Amanda Orley, M.D., George Orley’s sister, presented the awards. Each awardee selected a student organization meaningful to them to receive a small donation.
About Adon Vazquez
Image
Adon Vazquez is a junior at Wayne State University, studying sociology. He has shown a deeply held commitment to supporting community mental health as part of his work implementing the Sacred Bundle Project, a SAMHSA-funded tribal youth and college student suicide prevention grant housed at American Indian Health and Family Services.
His work with the Sacred Bundle Project extends beyond suicide prevention and includes bringing community-based tools to underserved communities across the state of Michigan. He provides culturally competent and evidence-based training that has real, tangible impacts on urban native communities, similar to the one in which he grew up.
Image
His work touches not only his campus community but campuses across the state. He has been able to connect with students with campus mental health providers at the University of Michigan, Michigan State, Central Michigan, Grand Valley State and Northern Michigan University, among others.
Adon is a leader in native youth healthcare, including serving on the National Council of Urban Indian Health Youth, to bring suicide prevention and the need for mental health support to the spotlight.
While accepting his award, Adon thanked his nominator and mentor, Taylor Puckett Maxwell, for her support. He also expressed gratitude for his community and tribe, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from North Carolina. He chose to support the Wayne State Native American Student Organization with his award.
About Lillie Birnie
Image
Lillie Birnie is a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Biology, Cognition and Neuroscience. Lille is a dedicated advocate for raising awareness and reducing stigma around bipolar disorder and addiction. She serves as a peer facilitator for the Wolverine Support Network, where she leads a weekly support group for undergraduate students and participates in community-building events across the University of Michigan campus. She is also a peer advocate with the College Recovery Program, where she educates students and faculty about recovery to help reduce the stigma associated with addiction.
Image
Her dedication to mental health advocacy extends beyond her studies and volunteer work. As a member of the EMoTe Lab, Lillie supports research on bipolar disorder. Her honors thesis is focused on improving the identification of those at risk for bipolar depression and for developing co-occurring substance use problems.
Lillie rises above and beyond to integrate her multidisciplinary studies, incorporating theories on social group identity and inequality to think critically about neurobiological risk for depression. This approach will enhance the potential impact of her work.
While accepting the award, Lillie spoke of her passion for mental health advocacy. She also thanked her nominator and advisor, Sarah Sperry, for her support. She chose to support the Wolverine Support Network with her award.
About the George Orley Student Mental Health Advocate Award
The George Orley Student Mental Health Advocate Award is named in honor of the memory of George Orley, who sadly lost his battle with depression in 2013, just before his junior year at the University of Michigan. It’s made possible through the generous support of his parents, Randy and Diane Orley of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, along with his siblings, Amanda and Sam. It is presented in the spring at the annual Mental Health on College Campuses Conference. Learn more about the award.