Many people say that films can change perspectives. But can they also help reduce mental health stigma, encourage meaningful conversations, and inspire people to seek support?

A recent study suggests the answer is yes—but not because films simply deliver information. Instead, they create space for people to reflect, empathize, and connect with one another.

A qualitative study conducted by Ryan Rada in the thesis "The Strategy on the Usage of Film by Rumpun Nurani within a Mental Health Campaign #ConnectToCare" explored how the Berlayar (Bercerita Lewat Layar) film screening and discussion program became a central strategy in the #ConnectToCare mental health campaign. Rather than evaluating whether the campaign "worked," the research examined how and why film became an effective communication tool for mental health awareness.

Key Takeaways

Before diving into the study, here are the biggest insights:

• 🎬 Films create safe spaces for difficult conversations, making mental health feel more approachable rather than intimidating.

• ❤️ Stories build empathy better than lectures, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with lived experiences.

• 🤝 Mental health awareness becomes stronger when experienced together, through film screenings and dialogue instead of one-way information sharing.

• 💬 Reflection matters as much as the film itself. Conversations after the screening encourage audiences to make meaning from what they watched.

• 🌱 Film can be a catalyst for building communities of care, not just increasing awareness.

Methodology

The study used a qualitative approach, interviewing six people who played key roles in designing and implementing the #ConnectToCare campaign, including organizational leaders, project managers, and campaign facilitators.

To understand the campaign strategy, the researcher analyzed it using Mahoney's campaign framework, examining campaign goals, objectives, target audiences, messaging, communication channels, implementation, and evaluation. Berlayar and the campaign's films were explored as the campaign's primary communication tools.

Key Findings

1. Film Works Because It Invites Reflection, Not Judgment

One of the strongest findings is that film offers something many awareness campaigns struggle to create: a psychologically safer way to engage with difficult topics.

Instead of telling audiences what to think, films invite them to interpret stories through their own experiences. Participants described film as an inclusive medium that welcomes people regardless of age, background, or prior knowledge of mental health.

The study also found that films can:

• validate audiences' emotions,

• encourage self-reflection,

• increase empathy,

• improve mental health literacy, and

• help people recognize experiences they may have struggled to articulate before.

Rather than simplifying mental health, film acknowledges its complexity while creating a space where audiences feel understood instead of judged.

2. Berlayar Combines Storytelling with Conversation

The research found that #ConnectToCare relies on two complementary communication pathways:

• Controlled media through carefully selected films.

• Special events through Berlayar screenings and facilitated discussions.

This combination is what makes the campaign distinctive.

The film captures attention and evokes emotion, while the discussion helps audiences process what they have seen together. Instead of passive viewing, participants become active contributors, sharing perspectives, asking questions, and reflecting on their own experiences.

According to the study, this combination transforms film from entertainment into a bridge for meaningful dialogue.

3. The Ultimate Goal Is Building a Community of Care

While raising awareness is important, the research found that Berlayar aims for something deeper.

Its long-term goal is to build a community of care—one where people feel comfortable talking about mental health, supporting one another, and recognizing that mental wellbeing is a shared responsibility rather than an individual problem.

Film contributes to this by creating shared emotional experiences. Unlike many online interactions, watching a film together and discussing it afterwards encourages empathy, social connection, and collective understanding.

The study identifies three interconnected campaign goals:

• building a community of care,

• increasing mental health awareness, and

• improving mental health literacy.

4. Success Is Measured Through People's Responses

Instead of relying only on attendance numbers, the campaign also evaluates how audiences respond after participating.

Researchers found that feedback forms, testimonials, sticky notes, and participants' willingness to share personal reflections all serve as indicators that the campaign is achieving its objectives.

This shows that success is not only about reaching people—but about creating meaningful engagement.

5. Different Audiences, One Shared Conversation

The campaign primarily targets:

• students,

• parents,

• teachers, and

• families.

At the same time, Berlayar also welcomes the wider public.

This intergenerational approach reflects the idea that mental health conversations should not happen only within clinical settings or among young people, but across families and communities.

6. Challenges Remain

The study also acknowledges several challenges.

Using film as a mental health communication strategy is still relatively uncommon in Indonesia, meaning there are few local references or models to learn from. The campaign also faces practical challenges, including reaching wider audiences, sustaining behavioral change beyond the screening, and facilitating discussions around sensitive topics.

These findings suggest that while film shows significant promise, continuous adaptation and evaluation remain essential.

What This Means for Future Mental Health Campaigns

One of the study's most interesting insights is that films do not change minds simply by delivering messages.

Instead, they encourage audiences to interpret stories, connect them with their own lives, and build meaning together through discussion.

The research also highlights opportunities for future campaigns, including:

• strengthening local cultural context so mental health feels relevant to everyday life,

• framing mental health as both a local and national issue,

• using narrative-based learning instead of purely informational communication, and

• treating audiences as active participants rather than passive recipients of messages.

Conclusion

Mental health campaigns often focus on delivering facts. This study suggests another path.

Berlayar demonstrates that stories can open conversations that statistics alone often cannot. By combining film with guided reflection and dialogue, #ConnectToCare creates opportunities for people to better understand themselves, empathize with others, and see mental health as a shared concern.

Perhaps that is the real power of film—not simply changing opinions, but helping communities create space to listen, reflect, and care together.