Currently accepted at: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: May 11, 2025
Date Accepted: Jun 3, 2026
This paper has been accepted and is currently in production.
It will appear shortly on 10.2196/77293
The final accepted version (not copyedited yet) is in this tab.
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Effectiveness of the "YOUTH-MH CORNER" Digital Intervention for Enhancing Mental Health Literacy and Help-Seeking in Middle and Late Adolescents
ABSTRACT
Background:
Mental health problems among adolescents are on the rise globally, yet many avoid seeking help due to shame, low mental health literacy (MHL), and limited resources. In Indonesia, the lack of digital interventions tailored for youth further compounds these challenges.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the "YOUTH-MH CORNER" app was successful in increasing awareness of mental health issues and the number of times that middle- and late-aged Indonesians sought treatment when they needed it.
Methods:
One hundred and twenty-five teenagers were split evenly between the control and intervention groups in this quasi-experimental study that included pre- and post-tests. Over two months, the intervention group used the app, which included participatory self-monitoring tools, gamified elements, and twelve psychoeducational sessions. The control group received printed mental health brochures. At baseline, as well as at the 1-and 2-month follow-ups, validated tools were used to evaluate mental health literacy as well as participation in seeking treatment. Generic Estimating Equations (GEE) and repeated-measures ANOVA were used for data analysis.
Results:
The intervention group showed significant improvements in mental health literacy (F = 45.60, p < .001), intentions to seek counseling (F = 40.10, p < .001), and attitudes toward professional help (F = 37.50, p < .001). Reductions in public stigma (F = 42.30, p < .001) and self-stigma (F = 48.20, p < .001) were also observed. GEE analysis confirmed the intervention’s superiority over the control condition across all measured outcomes (p < .001). No participants dropped out during the study.
Conclusions:
The YOUTH-MH CORNER app effectively enhanced adolescents' mental health literacy and willingness to seek help. Its accessible, youth-centered, and interactive design makes it a promising tool for integration into national mental health strategies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries
Citation
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