Writing on lived experience, mental health and practice

I'm feeling a deep sense of humility and gratitude today. I've been selected as one of the two stories of hope featured by Suicide Prevention Australia for World Suicide Prevention Day 2025; it's a real privilege to stand alongside such powerful voices in this space. As someone who's walked the path of being a carer and a survivor of loss, especially within culturally and linguistically diverse communities, this recognition hits close to home. It's not just about my journey;

Yesterday was a great day. On Tuesday, I stood beside Poster #159 at the National Suicide Prevention Conference 2025 and presented a program I’ve carried in my heart for decades: “Building Bridges: Fostering Intergenerational Dialogue on Mental Health and Suicide in CaLD Families.” I had many conversations, but one stood out. A woman approached me slowly. She didn’t say much at first - just stood with the poster. After a pause, she whispered: “That was my story too. We never

This week, I had the honour of being featured by Suicide Prevention Australia in a national video spotlighting members of the National Lived and Living Experience Panel. It’s a short but powerful reflection piece, asking each of us: What are your hopes for the upcoming National Suicide Prevention Conference? It’s more than just a video. It’s a reminder that voices like ours - those who carry the pain, the memory, and the insight of lived experience - are not just being heard.

I’m deeply honoured to announce that I will be presenting at this year’s National Suicide Prevention Conference (NSPC25) in Perth - Australia’s flagship gathering of lived experience leaders, researchers, policymakers, and frontline advocates. My presentation is titled: Building Bridges: Fostering Intergenerational Dialogue on Mental Health and Suicide in CaLD Families 📍 Poster Session 2 | Tuesday 20 May, 5:30 PM | Poster #159 This presentation is more than a professional mi

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,

Today, I stand humbled and honoured to share a moment that marks both a personal and professional milestone. My abstract, "Building Bridges: Fostering Intergenerational Dialogue on Mental Health and Suicide in CaLD Families", has been accepted for presentation at the 2025 National Suicide Prevention Conference (NSPC), right here in my beloved home city of Perth. This is more than an acceptance - it’s the culmination of a deeply personal journey. Mental health was rarely spoke

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan reflects on suicide prevention and the lived experience workforce after attending the SPA National Lunch Series.

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan is appointed as WA State Member for Suicide Prevention Australia, advancing lived experience leadership.