Michael Elwan is an award-winning accredited social worker and therapist who works with individuals, couples, and practitioners navigating the emotional weight of life, work, and responsibility. His approach is grounded in lived and living experience, cultural humility, and a deep respect for human dignity. Alongside his clinical and supervisory work, Michael also contributes to training, research, and system-level initiatives that support more humane mental health and suicide prevention practice across Australia.

His journey began in Alexandria, Egypt, where caregiving and loss shaped his earliest years. When his father’s stroke left him blind, and later through his mother’s mental-health struggle, and tragic suicide, Michael witnessed firsthand what happens when systems fail to listen.

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Migration to Australia marked a second beginning - and a lifelong mission: to make help human again. With over 15 years in clinical, senior leadership, and national advisory roles, he blends lived experience expertise with evidence-based practice to support healing at every level - from individuals and families to communities and systems​

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Recognition

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🏆 2025 AASW National Excellence Awards - Social Worker of the Year
National winner; Australia’s highest individual honour in social work

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🏆 2025 WA Mental Health Award - Lived Experience Impact & Inspiration

State winner; recognising leadership in lived experience transformation

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🏅 R U OK? Barbara Hocking Memorial Award (Finalist)
National recognition for community leadership in suicide prevention

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🏅 WA Multicultural Awards - Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award (Finalist)

Acknowledging leadership in multicultural mental health and community wellbeing

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