Goodwin, John and Behan, Laura and Saab, Mohamad M and O'Brien, Niamh and O’Donovan, Aine and Hawkins, Andrew and Philpott, Lloyd F and Connolly, Alicia and Goulding, Ryan and Clark, Fiona and O'Reilly, Deirdre and Naughton, Corina (2024) A film-based intervention (Intinn) to enhance adolescent mental health literacy and well-being: multi-methods evaluation study. Mental Health Review Journal, 29, (1), pp. 48-63. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-05-2023-0027.
External website: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.110...
Purpose: Adolescent mental health is a global concern. There is an urgent need for creative, multimedia interventions reflecting adolescent culture to promote mental health literacy and well-being. This study aims to assess the impact of a film-based intervention on adolescent mental health literacy, well-being and resilience.
Design/methodology/approach: A pretest-posttest intervention with a multi-methods evaluation was used. A convenience sample of ten schools facilitated students aged 15–17 years to engage in an online intervention (film, post-film discussion, well-being Webinar). Participants completed surveys on well-being, resilience, stigma, mental health knowledge and help-seeking. Five teachers who facilitated the intervention participated in post-implementation interviews or provided a written submission. Analysis included paired-t-test and effect size calculation and thematic analysis.
Findings: Matched pretest-posttest data were available on 101 participants. There were significant increases in well-being, personal resilience and help-seeking attitudes for personal/emotional problems, and suicidal ideation. Participants’ free-text comments suggested the intervention was well-received, encouraging them to speak more openly about mental health. Teachers similarly endorsed the intervention, especially the focus on resilience.
Originality/value: Intinn shows promise in improving adolescents’ mental health literacy and well-being. Film-based interventions may encourage adolescents to seek professional help for their mental health, thus facilitating early intervention
G Health and disease > State of health > Mental health
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Recreation therapy (bibliotherapy, music, dance, drama, play, art, sport, exercise)
T Demographic characteristics > Adolescent / youth (teenager / young person)
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
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