As a tech savvy youth worker, creating snackable online content for Zeal, an Aotearoa youth organisation, Elliot became aware of the darker side of the internet.

“Young people in distress were pouring out their trauma and pain online, but no one was responding and I couldn’t understand why,” he says. Elliot found himself in hospital with a young person in crisis. “The doctors were trying to save her life and her boyfriend showed me her phone. It was a suicide note she’d posted to Tumblr. She didn’t tell those close to her, she told Tumblr,” he says.

Thanks to a technology development grant from Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation Elliot developed Live for Tomorrow, a mental health helpline in reverse.

“Instead of young people having to contact us, we contacted them. We built an algorithm that helped identify young people that were posting in distress. We would then reach out via direct message, and they could opt into a conversation with a volunteer crisis counsellor,” explains Elliot.

Elliot then went on to found ThroughLine, a social enterprise providing mental health crisis care for global online communities. Their first product, Find A Helpline, is a helpline matching tool connecting people in crisis to free support in over 140 countries.

“I’m really proud of Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation for taking a risk on us to build something new. Their support has had a huge impact and is a part of our story, that’s led us to where we are now,” he says.