George Orley Student Advocate Award

The George Orley Student Mental Health Advocate Award recognizes college students for outstanding leadership and commitment to campus mental health. 

Student advocates create healthier campus communities throughout the U.S. by raising awareness about mental health conditions, the need for outreach programs and services, and the importance of eliminating the stigma surrounding these conditions. Each year, we recognize these exceptional individuals for their passion and commitment to improving the lives of their fellow college students. Recipients are honored at the annual Mental Health on College Campuses conference luncheon in the spring. 

The nomination window for the 2025 Orley Award has closed. The recipients will be announced on April 2, 2025, at the Mental Health on College Campuses luncheon. 

Award criteria

The Orley Award is open to college students at any level or learning institution. Awardees help to create a healthier campus community that fosters student success in one or more of the following ways:

• Raising awareness of mental health issues on campus through education and outreach.
• Advocating for outreach programs and mental health services on campus, which help to identify at-risk students, encourage help-seeking, and promote health self-care.
• Helping to reduce the stigma of depressive illnesses.

About George Orley

This 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.