Mental health has become a major issue globally and in New Zealand, more specifically Pacific youth1. Much of the existing promotional material on mental health has been focused on print such as pamphlets, flyers, or video via DVDs there has been limited research on the use of interactive media, or in area such as 360° video, 360 media more commonly named, which is emerging in this field. This study seeks to understand 360 media as a new form of communication for health messages. In this investigation 360 media is employed to creatively visualise new ways of communicating relevant and pertinent information. Three distinct fields of research were identified in this study: culture, health, and communication. A qualitative approach of the research supported the exploration the potential of 360 media, its design, as the intersecting points of the established territories.

Using a collaborative approach2, this research project carries out talanoa with two community health support workers and five Pacific youth to identity some of the themes and key messages that they determined to be central to awareness raising of mental health for Pacific youth. Also, through a process of co-design and talanoa, findings are being ‘translated’ into a 360 media by the researcher and then ‘tested’ for appropriateness with both groups and adapted accordingly. The creation of the proposed 360 media brings together the health sector, youth and the researcher in a collaborative and co-creative process to generate a thoughtful and relevant outcome for all. The use of a co-creative approach aligned with Pacific knowledge of sharing and research frameworks provides the space and time for meaning making in a culturally inclusive way. In doing so, the study brings a new contribution to the limited literature about 360 media.

In summary the aim of this research is to investigate and to understand how 360 media can be used as an effective tool in communicating key mental health messages designed to engage and empower Pacific youth in New Zealand.