Objective:

To co-design and evaluate a culturally sensitive, film-based intervention aimed at improving mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and enhancing resilience among Indigenous adolescents in Indonesia.

Key Findings:

• Significant improvements in mental health literacy in the intervention group (p < 0.01).
• Substantial reductions in stigma observed in the intervention group (p < 0.01).
• Moderate gains in resilience noted in the intervention group compared to controls.
• Qualitative themes included cultural resonance, emotional insight, empowerment, and peer solidarity.

Interpretation:

The co-designed film-based intervention effectively improved mental health literacy, reduced stigma, and enhanced resilience among Indigenous adolescents, highlighting the importance of culturally grounded approaches.

Limitations:

• Small sample size may limit generalizability.
• Short follow-up period may not capture long-term effects.

Conclusion:

This culturally grounded and scalable approach offers a promising strategy for mental health promotion in marginalized communities, warranting further evaluation with larger samples and longer follow-up.