Men in Australia continue to face disproportionately high rates of suicide, social isolation, and untreated mental health challenges—particularly in coastal and regional communities. Traditional clinical settings and conventional outreach models often fail to engage men in a way that fosters trust, agency, and sustained connection. In response, a growing movement has emerged to reimagine how, where, and with whom mental health support is delivered. This presentation explores the innovative development of oceanfront men’s mental health hubs—purpose-designed spaces situated near the sea that leverage the healing power of place, community, and lived experience to support mental wellbeing in men.
This “waves of change” approach challenges the outdated notion that mental health care must occur within clinical walls. It instead promotes a model rooted in accessibility, familiarity, and the natural world—offering safe, non-stigmatising environments for men to connect, reflect, and rebuild. Through physical proximity to oceanic landscapes and community-driven programming, these hubs integrate outdoor therapy, yarning circles, peer-led support, and culturally attuned practices that resonate with diverse groups of men, including Indigenous communities, veterans, fathers, and men in transition.
Innovation is the lifeblood of these hubs. They draw on design-thinking and co-creation principles to evolve in real-time alongside the communities they serve. This includes forging partnerships with surf lifesaving clubs and local councils, and embedding mental health literacy into recreational, cultural, and wellbeing activities. The ocean becomes not just a backdrop, but an active agent in the healing process—symbolising renewal, rhythm, and resilience.
This presentation shares early evidence and insights from one such coastal initiative, the Katitjin Blue Mind Place Scarborough Beach, highlighting outcomes such as improved help-seeking behaviours, reduced stigma, and increased social cohesion. It will also explore the challenges and opportunities of scaling this model. As we strive to meet men where they are—not just geographically, but emotionally and culturally—the oceanfront hub represents a powerful metaphor and method for change.
Ultimately, this work calls for a paradigm shift: to view innovation not only as technological advancement, but as the creative reimagining of space, relationship, and meaning in mental health care. By stepping beyond the clinic and onto the sand, we open new pathways for hope, connection, and healing—one wave at a time.