Connecting mental health with games in innovative worlds and ways
MENTAL HEALTH AND GAMES
Games are the cultural competency of the 21st century, and more mental health providers than ever are in need of resources, training, and support in this area. The Mental Health Professionals Hub offers tools and resources for mental health providers that support strengths-based mental health outcomes through gameplay.
Our mental health initiatives are designed to build social and emotional skills as well as reduce the barriers to treatment for teens. We research, design, and create Clinician Guides which are a one-page tip sheet that breaks down popular video games in order to enhance rapport and pursue treatment goals.
For the more adventurous mental health provider, we have the Critical Strengths Engine, a pen-and-paper role-playing rulebook for facilitating therapeutically-minded tabletop role-playing sessions. Outside the therapy room, we provide education to providers through our mental health blog series, iThrive’s peer-reviewed journal Games, Self, and Society, and through presentations and workshops.
We research, study, and embed evidence-based practices — preventative and therapeutic — into tools, programs, and readily accessible, immersive games. iThrive consults with game developers and mental health professionals to create resources that support the use of games in therapeutic contexts.
Read about mental health games and our in-production game to support teens in managing anxiety in this recent New York Times feature. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date with the production of the Anxiety Game and its release.
Saw us on Extra Credits? Co-authored by our our director of mental health research and d
WHERE TO START
Video games are rich, immersive, engaging, and motivating — and they’re where people increasingly spend their time. Browse these highlights for an overview of how clinicians can connect with clients with games as the medium.
HOW BAD DATA HAVE GIVEN GAMES A BAD RAP
As with anything, games should be played thoughtfully, with balance and healthy limits. Read more.
USING GAMES TO CONNECT WITH TEEN CLIENTS
Using play and games in therapy to facilitate skill building and rapport is well documented, and video games are one digital extension of that approach. Read more.
VR AND eMPATHY: TreaD CAREFULLY
VR can open the door for audiences to have novel experiences and bear witness to deeply emotional circumstances. But is asking someone to experience another person’s trauma necessary for developing empathy? Read more.
TOOLS
iThrive’s resources support mental health and social and emotional learning by choosing meaningful games for therapeutic benefit and highlighting how those games facilitate social and emotional growth. Learn more below.
Connecting With Games: Pokemon
A two-page introductory guide to connecting with clients who are immersed in the world of Pokemon.
CLS Paper: Representation of Mental Health in Video Games
A scientific paper discussing the portrayal of mental illness in games.
ARTICLES
iThrive and our mental health partners explore how games open up new opportunities for connecting with clients and provide expert tips for exploring mental health and games.
How Game-Based Learning Can Take Your Class to New Heights
Game-based learning deepens student engagement in a learning environment, both virtually and in-person. Here’s how it can take your class to new heights.
3 Ways to Prepare a Supportive Online Environment
As in-person classrooms shift to virtual spaces like Zoom, we’re experimenting with how to support closeness and authentic teen engagement in a remote learning environment. Here's a glimpse at what we've learned so far.Whether you’re in virtual spaces with teens or in...
Virtual Game Design Studio Melds Design Thinking and SEL
This week, teen HS students from Urban Assembly are joining staff from iThrive Games Foundation for a virtual design-thinking and social and emotional learning game design experience.
New Issue of Journal of Games, Self, & Society Suggests New Paths in Game Design, Accessibility
Experts Offer Insight Into Games’ Contribution to Learning, Health, and SocietyBOSTON--May 4, 2020. Exploring existential ideas as part of the game design process may yield new perspectives that result in games that offer lasting transformation to players, according...
Staying Connected While Social Distancing: Working from Home Edition
iThrive Games Foundation is a remote office nonprofit, so working from home is not new for us. But working from home during a pandemic is new for everyone across the globe. Whether you’re new to this or are a seasoned remote worker, the circumstances have changed....
COVID Self-Care Package: Practicing #SELatHome
We know how supportive social and emotional skills can be in times of confusion, crisis, and abrupt change. Join in on our #SELatHome Challenge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for 14 days of social and emotional skill-building, self-reflection and fun!As we talk to...
