‘Oevaru’ 2023: Ocean currents and the journey of an inaugural mental health conference in the Maldives

ObjectivesThis paper describes an important mental health initiative in Maldives - the inaugural national mental health research conference.ConclusionsAmid socio-cultural challenges in the background of climate change, amplified by COVID-19, mental health issues in Maldives surged. National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH), acknowledging data gaps, has prioritized evidence-based care since 2019 with a vision of building a research culture. Oevaru 2023, Maldives' inaugural mental health research conference, was convened by NCMH and held on October 15-16, 2023, addressing holistic care, prevention, innovation, and investment in mental health as sub-themes. Pre-conference sessions provided skill-building, followed by workshops on specialized topics. Oevaru featured keynotes, expert talks, panel discussions, and poster presentations, including a hybrid session with the Creating Futures Conference. It culminated in a white paper, emphasizing research-driven strategies for a resilient mental health system in Maldives.