Major Steps Taken in Building Youth Mental Health Care Capacity in the Maldives
Tracks
PRINCE ROOM - In-Person Only
| Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |
| 2:05 PM - 2:35 PM |
Overview
Helen Nicoll, Orygen
Presenter
Ms Helen Nicoll
Clinical Consultant
Orygen
Major Steps Taken in Building Youth Mental Health Care Capacity in the Maldives
Presentation Overview
Introduction
Orygen’s Workforce Development team partnered with the Australian High Commission, Australia Awards, Kulhudhuffushi City Council, and UNICEF to deliver mental health workforce training, community engagement, and policy advocacy in Kulhudhuffushi City, The Maldives. Complementary policy and advocacy work occurred in Male alongside this initiative. The project aimed to strengthen local capacity, improve youth mental health service access, and foster evidence-informed, culturally relevant practice.
Experiences and Findings
Activities included a mental health workshop, community events, and a large-scale festival. The workshop focused on mapping existing services, identifying gaps, and promoting early identification of mental ill-health using a clinical staging framework. Emphasis was placed on community-led approaches, fostering local ownership, creating shared language and vision, and involving young people in service planning.
The “Mind Fest” community event engaged over 1,000 participants on the beach, promoting mental health literacy, stigma reduction, and emotional wellbeing through interactive activities such as mood painting, creative exercises, and information stalls.
A workshop titled “Working Together to Translate Evidence into Practice” brought together young people and professionals to co-design action plans across key areas, including reducing stigma, recovery-focused practice, youth-friendly services, substance use, and trauma-informed care. Youth participation and co-design principles were embedded throughout discussions, reinforcing the importance of collaborative approaches.
Conclusion
Evaluation data showed that 100% of participants felt the workshop strengthened professional connections and broadened understanding of youth mental health work, including Orygen’s initiatives. Ninety-six percent reported increased knowledge of local resources. Qualitative feedback highlights lessons learned in fostering youth participation, translating evidence into practice, and supporting community-led mental health initiatives. This project demonstrates the value of global partnerships, culturally informed workforce development, and community engagement in strengthening youth mental health systems.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Community-Led, Evidence-Informed Approaches Strengthen Mental Health Systems
Engaging local communities, including young people, in co-design and planning ensures that mental health initiatives are culturally relevant, sustainable, and responsive to local needs.
2. Youth Participation Enhances Service Design and Impact
Involving young people in workshops, events, and action planning fosters shared ownership, increases relevance of interventions, and supports the development of youth-friendly, recovery-focused services.
3. Global Partnerships and Workforce Development Build Capacity
Collaboration between local authorities, international organisations, and expert mental health teams can enhance workforce knowledge, promote evidence-based practice, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health care for underserved populations.
Orygen’s Workforce Development team partnered with the Australian High Commission, Australia Awards, Kulhudhuffushi City Council, and UNICEF to deliver mental health workforce training, community engagement, and policy advocacy in Kulhudhuffushi City, The Maldives. Complementary policy and advocacy work occurred in Male alongside this initiative. The project aimed to strengthen local capacity, improve youth mental health service access, and foster evidence-informed, culturally relevant practice.
Experiences and Findings
Activities included a mental health workshop, community events, and a large-scale festival. The workshop focused on mapping existing services, identifying gaps, and promoting early identification of mental ill-health using a clinical staging framework. Emphasis was placed on community-led approaches, fostering local ownership, creating shared language and vision, and involving young people in service planning.
The “Mind Fest” community event engaged over 1,000 participants on the beach, promoting mental health literacy, stigma reduction, and emotional wellbeing through interactive activities such as mood painting, creative exercises, and information stalls.
A workshop titled “Working Together to Translate Evidence into Practice” brought together young people and professionals to co-design action plans across key areas, including reducing stigma, recovery-focused practice, youth-friendly services, substance use, and trauma-informed care. Youth participation and co-design principles were embedded throughout discussions, reinforcing the importance of collaborative approaches.
Conclusion
Evaluation data showed that 100% of participants felt the workshop strengthened professional connections and broadened understanding of youth mental health work, including Orygen’s initiatives. Ninety-six percent reported increased knowledge of local resources. Qualitative feedback highlights lessons learned in fostering youth participation, translating evidence into practice, and supporting community-led mental health initiatives. This project demonstrates the value of global partnerships, culturally informed workforce development, and community engagement in strengthening youth mental health systems.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Community-Led, Evidence-Informed Approaches Strengthen Mental Health Systems
Engaging local communities, including young people, in co-design and planning ensures that mental health initiatives are culturally relevant, sustainable, and responsive to local needs.
2. Youth Participation Enhances Service Design and Impact
Involving young people in workshops, events, and action planning fosters shared ownership, increases relevance of interventions, and supports the development of youth-friendly, recovery-focused services.
3. Global Partnerships and Workforce Development Build Capacity
Collaboration between local authorities, international organisations, and expert mental health teams can enhance workforce knowledge, promote evidence-based practice, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health care for underserved populations.
Biography
Helen is a mental health nurse and cognitive and behavioural therapist (CBT) with 25 years of clinical experience developing and leading early intervention in psychosis programs in the UK and working with Military Veterans offering trauma therapy. Helen spent 2 years working as a therapist in an international school in Malaysia before moving to Australia. Her current role is as clinical consultant for the Australian Early Psychosis Program. Helen has worked with global and local organisations and governments to strengthen mental health systems.
