Elliot Waters

Elliot Waters’ journey is one of courage, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to transforming mental health care. Battling with mental ill-health for most of his life, Elliot has turned his lived experience into a platform for change, inspiring individuals across Australia and beyond. His advocacy, grounded in insight and authenticity, has positioned him as a powerful voice in mental health education, research, and destigmatisation.

“Men’s mental health is one of the defining challenges of our society today. Too many men are struggling in silence, and this has impacts across the community as well as their families and the individual themselves.” 

Elliot sought to understand the complexities of mental health and enrolled in a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle. His academic foundation became the springboard for a remarkable advocacy journey that spans community outreach, media engagement, and groundbreaking research.

As a volunteer with the Black Dog Institute, Elliot has delivered over 100 presentations to schools, workplaces, and community groups, sharing his personal journey to break down stigma and inspire hope. His talks reach diverse audiences across urban and regional Australia, including underserved communities in Moree, Cowra, Dubbo, and Coonamble. Notably, in 2020, Elliot lent his voice at a town hall in Kiama following a youth suicide cluster, engaging directly with community members, the Lord Mayor, and local Members of Parliament. His commitment to outreach highlights the profound impact that personal insight and openness can have in fostering understanding, resilience, and connection.

Beyond public speaking, Elliot is the creator and host of The Dysregulated Podcast, where he candidly explores mental health challenges and shares insights from his own journey. What began as an idea in his bedroom has grown into a powerful platform with more than 200 episodes and over 30,000 downloads across 70 countries.

The podcast has become an internationally recognised resource for destigmatising mental illness, offering comfort and guidance to listeners navigating their own mental health journeys. Its growing reach, now over 1,000 downloads per month, reflects the impact of Elliot’s authentic voice and his ability to connect meaningfully with audiences worldwide.

“It’s not always easy to see the impact, but when I do hear that feedback that my message has resonated with people, it means the world and it is definitely what keeps me driving forward.” 

Elliot’s advocacy also extends to national policy and research. Appointed to the Lived Experience Advisory Committee for Everymind, he has contributed to suicide prevention workshops, national summits, and research on how people with lived experience of suicide tell their stories and interact with media. His efforts improve awareness and help shape initiatives that support mental well-being on a national scale.

In 2023, Elliot co-designed a groundbreaking $780,000 Medical Research Future Fund project investigating walk-and-talk therapy for men with depression. This innovative research explores the therapeutic benefits of outdoor, conversational therapy compared to traditional care, underscoring Elliot’s commitment to developing practical, evidence-based solutions that address mental health challenges in meaningful ways.

“With my degree and my lived experience, I’ve been able to combine those to try and push a message of hope. As someone who is lucky enough to have a voice in this space, I’m compelled to try and push this agenda as much as I can.” 

Elliot’s message has been widely recognised across mainstream media. Yet, Elliot’s true legacy lies in the thousands of lives he has touched, from students and community members to men taking their first steps towards talking openly about their mental health.

Looking to the future, Elliot hopes to continue shaping a more compassionate and inclusive approach to mental health. He envisions a world where lived experience is central to care, where stigma is dismantled, and where research, advocacy, and education work together to support all individuals in achieving mental well-being.