O-19 Implementation of a multi-sectoral programme to improve Indigenous adolescent mental health in Brazil and Dominica: Adolescent led art-based intervention vignettes in Brazil.

Methods: We used an exploratory design based on the creation of narrative vignettes to capture the perspectives and experiences of members of the Indigenous community. 24 students from the Guarita Lands participated in 10 workshops; two subgroups were composed, a group of n=12 members aged between 10-14 years old and a second group with n=12 teenagers aged 15-18 years. The vignettes were conceived as a method to explore specific contexts of MH, cultural values, and interpretations of indigenous peoples about situations relevant to their daily lives.

Results: Students 10-14 years old created 16 vignettes across various media, such as videos, drawings, photos, posters, songs, and parodies. 4 vignettes focused on the school domain, 5 on the Family domain, and 8 on the Community domain. Similarly, students 15-18 years old created 13 vignettes, including videos, drawings, photos, comics, and posters. These were categorized as follows: 5 vignettes on the school domain, 3 on the Family domain, and 5 on the Community domain. Common critical issues included prejudice, self-esteem, violence, and drug abuse. Respect for their ways of life, traditions and culture, family support, sports and handcraft were areas seen as helpful in maintaining good MH. Challenges include difficulties in integrating into certain groups, self-doubt and prejudices.

Conclusion: The vignettes facilitated adolescents’ engagement with MH topics by connecting their personal and community experiences with generating meaningful insights and identifying key messages. We demonstrate the effectiveness of vignettes as a strategy to promote the participation of a target population in the co-development of actions for their mental health.