Writing on lived experience, mental health and practice

Michael Elwan has won the 2026 Australian Mental Health Prize in the Lived Experience category. Read about the recognition and his work through LEXs.

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan receives the Western Australian Multicultural Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement.

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan and LEXs receive the Suicide Prevention Australia LiFE Award for Priority Populations.

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan receives the Suicide Prevention Australia LiFE Award for Outstanding Contribution in Western Australia.

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan is named the 2025 AASW Social Worker of the Year, recognising national leadership.

Award-winning social worker and national advisor Michael Elwan reflects on receiving the WA Mental Health Award 2025 for Lived Experience Impact & Inspiration, supported by the WA Mental Health Commission.

I recently received news that I’ve been named a Finalist in the AASW National Excellence Awards 2025 for Social Worker of the Year, a recognition that honours lived-experience leadership and social work excellence across Australia. It took a while for the news to sink in. These things never start with applause - they start with small steps, hard days, and moments where you’re just trying to keep someone safe, including yourself. My path into social work wasn’t a straight line

Award-winning social worker and national advisor Michael Elwan is a finalist in the R U OK? Barbara Hocking Memorial Award 2025 for his leadership in lived-experience conversations.

I’m incredibly humbled to share that I’ve been nominated for the Innovative Practice & Research LiFE Award as part of the 2025 Western Australia LiFE Awards, hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia. This recognition means a great deal to me - not just professionally, but deeply personally. The LiFE Awards (Living is For Everyone) honour individuals and organisations making impactful contributions to suicide prevention. To be acknowledged alongside so many dedicated advocates,

Award-winning social worker and national advisor Michael Elwan is a finalist for the Mental Health Leadership Award 2025, recognising his impact on multicultural mental health in Australia and lived-experience leadership.

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan reflects on receiving the New England Award, celebrating academic achievement and resilience in 2020.