Careif was proud to present Albert Chaitram Persaud with the ‘Rick O’Shea Award for Distinguished Contribution to Professional Practice in Mental Health in 2026’. The award was given in loving memory of Patrick Michael “Rick” O’Shea (1966–2025), Careif’s former patron, who was part of the organisation for nearly 20 years.
Remembering Rick
Rick was so much more than a patron to Careif. He was a kind, funny and generous person who brought so much to everyone who knew him. He lived life to the fullest, following his passions for rugby, golf and music around the world, always making sure those around him were having just as much fun.
He was someone who made people feel welcome, and his kindness and enthusiasm left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Rick leaves behind a wonderful legacy as a mentor, philanthropist and champion of community causes. Through this award, we hope to celebrate the values he embodied and keep his memory alive by recognising people who make a real difference in the field of mental health.
Celebrating Albert Persaud
We were delighted to present this award to Albert Persaud, co-founder of CAREIF and founder of the International Institute of Geopsychiatry. The occasion brought together many people who wanted to celebrate Albert, share their experiences and express their appreciation for everything he has contributed over the years. It was particularly lovely to hear so many kind words and personal reflections from those who have worked with him and been inspired by his work.
Albert has made important contributions to mental health, particularly through his work in Geopsychiatry and his commitment to exploring the relationships between mental health, culture, society and people's lived experiences. His work has helped encourage important conversations and bring different perspectives together, reminding us of the value of looking beyond a diagnosis and understanding the wider experiences that shape a person's mental health.
Geopsychiatry
One of Albert’s significant contributions this year has been his work bringing together a Geopsychiatry compendium, with contributions from members of the wider group. This is a wonderful example of his commitment to sharing knowledge, encouraging collaboration and creating opportunities for others to contribute to the field. His work is not just about developing ideas himself but about bringing people together and helping those around him learn, grow and share their expertise.
A passion for teaching and inspiring others
Albert has a real passion for teaching and inspiring others. He encourages people to ask questions, explore new ideas and think about mental health in ways they may not have considered before. This willingness to share his knowledge and experience is something particularly special, as it helps ensure that the work being done today can continue to influence and inspire others in the future.
What stood out throughout the event was just how highly Albert is thought of. Hearing people speak about him and share their stories was a lovely reminder that the impact of someone's work goes far beyond their professional achievements. It is also about the relationships they build, the people they encourage and the opportunities they create for others. Seeing so many people come together to celebrate Albert was a real testament to the respect and affection people have for him.
Recognising Albert
At Careif, we are incredibly proud to recognise Albert and all that he has achieved. We feel very fortunate to work alongside him and to have the opportunity to celebrate his contribution through an award that means so much to us. In honouring Albert, we are also celebrating the values that Rick held so dear: kindness, generosity, connection and a genuine commitment to making a difference.
Albert is a real inspiration, and we hope that his work will continue to encourage future generations to approach mental health with curiosity, compassion and an openness to different perspectives. We have so much to learn from his dedication and would be lucky to follow in his footsteps in the years to come.
Congratulations, Albert, and thank you for everything you continue to contribute to mental health and for the inspiration you provide to us all. We are so pleased to celebrate you!