Dr Dov Degen is a dual-trained Nephrologist and General Physician based in Melbourne, Australia. Alongside his clinical work, he has been a mental health advocate since 2015, working with SANE Australia and Beyond Blue to promote awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. At CORE-BD we are proud to have him as a member of our Brains Trust.
As a doctor living with bipolar disorder, he openly shares his lived experience to challenge misconceptions about mental illness within healthcare and broader society. This places him in a unique position to speak from both professional and personal perspectives – as a physician caring for patients and as a patient navigating a serious mental health condition.
He is an experienced public speaker, having delivered presentations across public events, community forums, social media campaigns, YouTube content, radio broadcasts, and Podcasts. In recognition of his contributions to medicine and mental health advocacy, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.
His vision is to help create a society in which mental illness is afforded the same legitimacy, understanding, and compassion as physical illness by healthcare professionals, employers, and the wider community. He wants people to recognise that mental illness does not discriminate and that those affected should not be defined by a diagnostic label, but by their character, capabilities, and contributions.
Throughout his career, he has personally experienced the effects of stigma and discrimination, both within the workplace and in society more broadly. These experiences have included significant professional challenges and setbacks. They have reinforced his belief that every person facing mental health difficulties deserves to be treated with the same respect, dignity, and compassion afforded to anyone living with a physical health condition.
By speaking openly and vulnerably about his journey, he has helped foster greater awareness and dialogue among healthcare professionals living with mental illness. Reducing stigma is not simply about changing attitudes; it is about creating environments in which people feel safe enough to seek help, disclose their struggles, and realise their potential without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Please follow and support his mental health journey on Instagram @drdovdegen
