Protocol for a Qualitative Study on the Co-Design and Co-Creation of a Community-Based Mental Health Intervention to Prevent Suicidal Behavior Among Adolescent Females in Gorontalo, Indonesia

Abstract

This qualitative study protocol delineates the formulation of a community-based mental health intervention aimed at preventing suicidal behavior among adolescent females in Gorontalo, Indonesia a province noted for its high national rates of suicide attempts. The study seeks to investigate the lived experiences, psychosocial challenges, and contextual factors influencing suicidal ideation among adolescent girls, while integrating the perspectives of government stakeholders, academics, and women entrepreneurs. Employing a qualitative descriptive design, data will be gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, followed by participatory co-creation and co-design workshops guided by the principles of Participatory Action Research (PAR). The co-creation process entails collaboratively identifying priorities, designing intervention components, and refining culturally grounded strategies for community-based mental health support. The findings will inform the development of an inclusive, context-specific, and sustainable intervention model that bolsters suicide prevention efforts and enhances community engagement in low-resource settings.