Myles Young and Elliot Waters: Pioneering Men's Mental Health Initiatives

Mental health is a growing concern in Australia, particularly for men, who often face unique challenges when seeking help. Recognising these barriers, University of Newcastle alumni Dr Myles Young and Elliot Waters are at the forefront of a groundbreaking study aimed at addressing men’s mental health. Their work on the world’s first comparative study of outdoor therapy versus traditional indoor therapy for men has the potential to revolutionise how mental health care is delivered to men across the nation.

Expanding the Frontier for Men’s Mental Healthcare

Depression remains one of the leading causes of disease burden among Australian men, yet fewer than 40% of those experiencing mental health issues seek help. Concerningly, of those who do reach out, 45% drop out of therapy prematurely, suggesting that current services may not be meeting their needs. In response, University of Newcastle alumni Dr Myles Young and Elliot Waters, alongside a dedicated team, are leading a new trial that seeks to answer a simple yet powerful question: Can taking therapy outdoors improve men’s engagement and outcomes?

While traditional indoor therapy is highly beneficial for treating depression, it is not the only way therapy can be delivered and may not be the most preferred by men. The trial builds on the premise that some men may find the outdoors a less intimidating and more engaging environment for therapy.

Myles Young: Shaping Men's Mental Health Research

Dr Myles Young is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Newcastle, where he is committed to advancing men's health. He earned his Bachelor of Psychology with Honours from the University of Newcastle in 2009 and completed his PhD in 2015. His doctoral research centred on the SHED-IT program, a weight loss initiative tailored specifically for men, which addresses the discomfort many Australian men experience in predominantly female weight loss settings. With years of academic and practical expertise, Myles brings invaluable insights to the trial.

“Men are often expected to be strong, stoic, and self-reliant. These social norms make it much harder for men to speak up and get help from others when they are going through a tough time. There are also fewer research projects developing and testing mental health interventions for men, compared to women. This means less is known about the best ways to engage and support men with mental health concerns.”

One of the key elements of the trial is the integration of lived experience in every stage of the project—a principle Myles holds dear.

“Critically, researchers and funding bodies now acknowledge the need to work alongside people with lived experience of mental health concerns in the process. The best research projects are those that have been co-designed with end-users to answer questions that are important to people with mental health concerns.”

Elliot Waters: A Voice for Lived Experience

Elliot Waters is a dedicated mental health advocate and research assistant, known for empowering others through his lived experience with mental health. With an Honours in Psychology (2021) from the University of Newcastle, a Mental Health First Aid Certificate, and a Rotary Youth Leadership award under his belt, Elliot is committed to mental health advocacy. As a volunteer presenter for the Black Dog Institute, he has delivered over 100 presentations on mental health literacy in schools, communities and online. He is also the producer and host of The Dysregulated Podcast , where he shares his story to destigmatise mental illness and inspire hope.

Elliot’s passion for mental health advocacy, combined with his personal experience, brings a valuable and unique perspective to the trial.

“A low level of mental health literacy and stigma has made my journey very rocky. I want to do all I can to help people understand and feel understood. I believe if this happened so many lives would be changed for the better.”

In Elliot's Honours thesis, he explored the impact of lifestyle factors on sleep quality in a male cohort. This research, conducted in close collaboration with Myles, ignited his deeper interest in men's mental health, paving the way for his continued advocacy and involvement in the field.

“Men’s mental health in research is an overlooked concept, and my work on my thesis and the upcoming clinical trial aims to fill the knowledge gaps in the literature. The broad aim is to find out how to better accommodate for the differences in male mental health.” 

In the trial, Elliot serves as a research assistant and lived experience expert, bringing his unique insights to ensure the study remains relevant and accessible to a broad population. His involvement in the co-design process ensures that those with lived experience help design and shape the study, making it more impactful for its target audience. Elliot also focuses on the importance of empathetic language, providing feedback to avoid overly scientific terms that could alienate participants, helping create a more engaging and inclusive experience.

Other Alumni Involved in the Trial

  • Ms Andi Dickmeyer (current PhD student)
  • Mr Rob O’Hara (current PhD student)

For more information on the clinical trial, please visit Men's Therapy Study.

If you are in a crisis situation or need immediate assistance for your mental health, please contact: