Oevaru, hosted by the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) of IGMH (Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital), returns after its successful inaugural event in 2023. This conference dives deep into the complexities of mental health, skillfully weaving together diverse threads of knowledge, clinical practice, and lived experience from both local and international voices.
Oevaru 2026 welcomes submissions from all related stakeholders including clinicians, researchers, students, public health specialists, policymakers, community stakeholders, and people with lived experiences of mental health conditions. The event provides a platform to share research findings, practice-based insights, and visionary ideas to elevate mental health discourse and strengthen systems of care across the Maldives.
The theme for Oevaru 2026, 'Delving Deep, Weaving Connections,' calls us to engage with the biological, psychological, social, and systemic layers of mental health. It emphasizes the importance of connection within communities, across disciplines, and among institutions. We invite submissions that resonate with this theme and its sub-themes.
CONFERENCE SUBMISSIONS
Submissions are invited under two distinct tracks: the Scientific Stream and the Oevaru Salla Stream.
1. Scientific Stream: Traditional abstract submissions
This track welcomes submission in the form of traditional structured abstracts based on original research, program evaluations, case studies, or practice-based innovations. During the submissions process the authors are given the opportunity to choose their preference for oral or poster presentation. Following a review process by the scientific committee the papers shall be accepted to be presented in Oevaru.
Abstract Submission Format
The details of format for abstract submissions can be found below in the downloadable template with the formatting provided. Authors are encouraged to use the template during the submission process.
click here to download ABSTRACT TEMPLATE DOCUMENT
2. Oevaru Salla Stream: Salla pitch submissions
The Oevaru Salla stream is designed to encourage presentation of innovative and scalable ideas to transform mental health in the Maldivian context. This track draws on global public innovation models and welcomes proposals that explore intersections of technology, community, culture, and emerging challenges such as climate resilience.
Salla Submission Format
- Salla Concept Note: Maximum 250 words outlining the issue, proposed idea, and intended impact. The details of format for Salla concept note submission is described below and a downloadable template with the formatting is provided below. Authors are encouraged to use the template during the submission process.
Pitch Video: Submit a 2-minute video presenting your innovative idea around mental health. The format is completely flexible, it can be spoken, visual, animated, dramatized, or simply filmed on your phone. We encourage creativity, but what matters most is that the video is engaging and persuasive, clearly pitching your idea. Upload your video to Google Drive and submit the link through the conference website..
- Keywords: 3–5 relevant keywords.
- Salla teams: We support interdisciplinary teams of up to 5 members, to make submissions and it is encouraged to have at least one member with relevant mental health training or experience.
Submission Process
All submissions must be made via the official conference website: https://oevaruconference.mv
Authors must ensure formatting and guidelines are met to avoid delays.
Review Process
These submissions will be reviewed by the scientific committee and authors will be communicated regarding acceptance. Scientific Stream abstracts will be peer-reviewed for clarity, originality, relevance, and scientific rigor. Oevaru Salla submissions will also be evaluated by the scientific committee for relevance, impact, innovation and feasibility and the best submissions will be accepted for presentation at the Salla segment of the Oevaru conference.