Creating Futures special recognition

The Creating Futures initiative—an independent, task-focused collaboration of individuals and institutions—has been recognised in the 2025 special edition of Australasian Psychiatry (Vol. 33, Issue 2), which focuses on mental health in Pacific Island countries. Coordinated through The Cairns Institute (TCI), Creating Futures (CF) is built on a foundation of long-term, trust-based relationships across geography, sectors, and interests, with the shared goal of strengthening mental health systems across the Pacific.

The edition commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Creating Futures initiative and follows the success of the 2023 Creating Futures Conference (CF23), held under the theme “Responding to Mental Health Challenges in Uncertain Times” and in conjunction with Oevaru, the inaugural mental health conference in the Maldives. The journal invited submissions from CF23 participants and contributors, resulting in a dedicated issue that reflects the breadth of collaboration fostered over two decades.

Adjunct Professor Ernest Hunter, a founding member of the initiative, provided the editorial and facilitated the connection with colleagues in the Maldives – what is hoped will be the beginning of an Indo-Pacific Island Nations collaboration that had it origins in the Leadership in Mental Health: Island Nations courses run under the auspices of Creating Futures and TCI.

A deeper understanding of the relevance and history of CF is outlined in the article “Creating futures out of the conference: 20 years of strengthening mental health capacity in the Pacific”, co-authored by Brigid Ryan (St Vincents), Jennifer McHugh (TCI), and Annie Crookes (University of South Pacific). The article traces the evolution of the initiative and highlights the power of ethical, inclusive partnerships in addressing regional mental health needs. The 2023 conference drew 420 participants from 25 countries, linking virtually with Oevaru, and expanding the initiative’s reach into the Indian Ocean region.

Featured Articles in the Special Edition: Pacific Islands Mental Health (partial list)

1. Different oceans; Common challenges. Ernest Hunter.
2. Creating futures out of the conference: 20 years of strengthening mental health capacity in the Pacific. Brigid Ryan, Jennifer McHugh & Annie Crookes.
3. “Oevaru” 2023:Ocean Currents and the journey of an inaugural mental Health conference in the Maldives. Arif Mohamed, Shanooha Mansoor.
4. Challenges and opportunities in the mental health landscape of the Maldives. Arif Mohamed, Shanooha Mansoor.
5. A new mental health initiative in the Maldives: A preliminary study of group therapy in Male.’ Fathimath Sofiya Rasheed, Fathimath Rishtha Abdul Majeedh, Fathmath Lubaina Rasheed, Sidra Abdulla, Ali Mikhail Mahmood Razee.
6. Weaving the strands together for a stronger future; Responding to mental health need of Pacific children and young people. Nicholas Kowalenko, Monica Hagali, Paul Robertson, Craig Heron, Mandy Douch, Juana Katze, Ben Rodgers and Ruby Awram.
7. Framing the future: Ensuring vulnerable island communities are engaged. Natalie Cutler, Michele Ramsey, Odille Chang, Silina Motofaga and Julie Millard.
8. Creating a mental health Talanoa to promote a collaborative approach to wellbeing across Pacific peoples. Jioji Ravulo.
9. A call for multi-agency collaboration in the Pacific Island countries’ mental health – The World Federation for Mental Health viewpoint. Neeraj Gill.
10. Making It Real: Actioning the Mental Health Strategy with Pacific Island Communities. Narayan Gopalkrishnan and Annie Crookes
11. The mental health impact of climate change on Pacific Islanders: A systematic review focused on vulnerability and resilience. Netsanet Ayele Mengesha and Zoltan Sarnyai.
12. Contextualising Psychological First Aid for the Pacific Island Countries. Malini Nair and Serik Meirmanov.
13. Balancing progress and well-being: Assessing impacts on mental well-beiong from development initiatives in the Maldives. Mizna Mohamed, Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed, Ahmed Jameel (will appear in the next issue of Australasian Psychiatry).

The appearance of five papers from the Maldives in an international journal will serve to launch the leadup to Oevaru 2 which will be held in the Maldives in 2026. With COP26 potentially being in the region, preliminary discussions are underway regarding some activity under Creating Futures to support those from different oceans facing common challenges.

Articles can be accessed https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/ apya/33/2