Culturally Tailored Film Intervention to Improve Mental Health Literacy and Resilience Among Indigenous Youth: A Mixed-Methods Co-Design Approach - Report - MDSpire

Culturally Tailored Film Intervention to Improve Mental Health Literacy and Resilience Among Indigenous Youth: A Mixed-Methods Co-Design Approach

  • By

  • Siti Nur Endah Hendayani

  • Nisha Nambiar

  • Rathimalar Ayakannu

  • April 29, 2026

  • 0 min

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Culturally Tailored Film Intervention to Improve Mental Health Literacy

Overview

This study demonstrates that a culturally sensitive, film-based intervention significantly enhances mental health literacy, reduces stigma, and improves resilience among Indigenous adolescents in Indonesia. The findings suggest that such interventions can be effective in addressing mental health challenges in marginalized communities.

Background

Indigenous adolescents face unique mental health challenges exacerbated by cultural disruption and systemic inequities. Mental health literacy, stigma, and resilience are critical factors influencing help-seeking behaviors and overall well-being. Culturally appropriate interventions are essential to address these issues and promote mental health in Indigenous populations.

Data Highlights

OutcomeIntervention GroupControl GroupP-Value
Mental Health LiteracySignificant ImprovementNo Change< 0.01
StigmaSubstantial ReductionNo Change< 0.01
ResilienceModerate GainsNo Change< 0.01

Key Findings

  • The intervention led to significant improvements in mental health literacy among participants.
  • Stigma associated with mental health issues was substantially reduced in the intervention group.
  • Moderate gains in resilience were observed following the intervention.
  • Qualitative feedback highlighted themes of cultural resonance, empowerment, and peer solidarity.
  • The film-based approach was co-created with Indigenous youth, enhancing its cultural relevance.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should consider implementing culturally tailored interventions to improve mental health literacy and resilience among Indigenous youth. Such approaches can facilitate better engagement and support for adolescents facing mental health challenges in marginalized communities.

Conclusion

The study underscores the effectiveness of culturally grounded interventions in promoting mental health among Indigenous adolescents, highlighting the need for further research to validate these findings in larger populations.

References

  1. Hicks et al., 2025 -- Expanding our understanding of digital mental health interventions for Indigenous youth
  2. WHO, 2023 -- WHO issues new and updated recommendations on treatment of mental, neurological and substance use conditions
  3. Scientific Reports, 2025 -- Evidence based consensus statements for digital tools to address youth mental health literacy
  4. Frontiers in Digital Health, 2026 -- Co-creating a program theory and evaluability assessment for an Irish single-session, synchronous chat-based youth mental health intervention
  5. BMC Psychiatry, 2026 -- Effectiveness of a Micro-Video Psychological Training Program in Alleviating Depression and Anxiety While Promoting Resilience
  6. npj Digital Medicine — Assessing Youth Mental Health Needs Through an Adaptive Digital Tool: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Analysis
  7. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — A qualitative study exploring youth’s experiences of hospital- and integrated community-based mental health services: the YouthCan IMPACT initiative
  8. WHO Guidelines on Mental Health Promotive and Preventive Interventions for Adolescents
  9. Frontiers | School-based interventions for resilience in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  10. WHO issues new and updated recommendations on treatment of mental, neurological and substance use conditions
  11. Evidence based consensus statements for digital tools to address youth mental health literacy | Scientific Reports
  12. Effects of YouTube Health Videos on Mental Health Literacy in Adolescents and Teachers: Randomized Controlled Trial - PubMed
  13. A cluster randomised feasibility trial assessing an interactive film intervention to improve wellbeing of young people in school settings in the North of England | Pilot and Feasibility Studies | Full Text
  14. A protocol for a randomized controlled comparative effectiveness trial of two brief interventions focused on social and cultural connectedness to reduce risk for suicide and substance misuse in young Alaska Native people | BMC Public Health | Full Text
  15. Expanding our understanding of digital mental health interventions for Indigenous youth: An updated systematic review - Lydia J Hicks, Elaine Toombs, Jessie Lund, Kristy R Kowatch, Carol Hopkins, Christopher J Mushquash, 2025
  16. Strengthening Resilience: Promoting Positive School Mental Health Among Indigenous Youth | SAMHSA

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