Youth and Stakeholder Perspectives on Depression Literacy and Game Design in Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces

Abstract

This formative qualitative study examined how youth and stakeholders in Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces understand depression and what they would require of a board game intended to promote mental health literacy. It formed the needs-assessment phase of a larger research and development project. Eighteen key informants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling: two psychiatrists, two board game experts, 10 youth volunteers aged 15–24 years, and four mental health personnel. In-depth interviews were analyzed through qualitative content analysis. Four themes were constructed. Informants perceived youth knowledge of depression as limited and closely tied to fear of stigma. Stigma and religious misattribution were described as delaying help-seeking. Religious practice was reported both as a valued source of comfort and, when depression was equated with weak faith, as an interpretation discouraging professional help; concealment and withdrawal were described alongside it. All groups considered a board game acceptable and specified design requirements: expert-verified information; locally familiar situations and language; a clear position that religious practice supports rather than replaces professional care; and mechanics that allow responses through characters rather than personal disclosure. Because no game was developed or tested, these findings describe perceived acceptability and proposed design requirements and point to the need for co-design and evaluation.