Mental Health
Ongoing coverage on Mental Health.
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'I Just Sort of Disconnect' — Jeff Kaplan is Avoiding Overwatch at all Costs
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan revealed that he actively avoids engaging with online discussions and subreddits related to Blizzard's hero shooter to protect his mental well-being. He disconnects entirely from the game's community.
Video games aren't the enemy of kids' mental health – ignoring them is | Opinion
This opinion piece argues that video games are not inherently detrimental to children's mental health and that ignoring their positive roles is a greater risk. The author, from the charity Safe In Our World, highlights how games can foster social connection, competence, and coping mechanisms for young people, especially those who struggle elsewhere. A better approach involves parental curiosity and engagement rather than outright bans.
In pictures: the Best Places To Work Awards 2026
The GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards UK 2026 celebrated companies that support their staff despite industry layoffs. The awards, sponsored by Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London, and Special Effect, highlighted strong provisions for mental health, environmental sustainability, and education.
Interviewing Writer Leon Richardson About Their TTRPG, Rangers of A Broken World
In an interview, Canadian designer Leon Richardson discusses their upcoming post-apocalyptic TTRPG, Rangers of a Broken World, published by Evil Hat Productions. Richardson details the game's premise of rebuilding humanity after a cataclysm, its unique magic system tied to identity, and its character facets designed to promote accessibility and representation. The interview also touches on inspirations drawn from personal experiences with mental health and the game's themes of hope and community.
BrokenLore: DON’T LIE Review | TheXboxHub
BrokenLore: DON'T LIE is a compelling psychological horror game that explores modern mental health issues through folklore. Developed by Serafini Productions, the game features a unique "game within a game" mechanic and effective environmental storytelling. While the narrative can be abstract at times, the game largely succeeds in delivering a chilling and memorable horror experience.
Suicide Hotline Chat Room - Free Online Browser Game
Suicide Hotline Chat Room is a browser-based simulation game where players manage the hope of 20 damaged NPCs in a crisis chat room. The game features dark humor, realistic simulation, and consequences for player actions, including a death system and mood contagion mechanics.
Gears of War Launches Fifth Year of “Never Fight Alone” Suicide Prevention
Gears of War has launched its fifth annual "Never Fight Alone" campaign in partnership with Crisis Text Line and illustrator Luke Preece to support suicide prevention. The Coalition donates 1% of net revenue from its products to Crisis Text Line, which has supported over 16,000 conversations to date. New merchandise and an in-game bundle for Gears of War: E-Day will also contribute to the cause.
Rumi’s Private Pain and Secret Shame: Concealing Never Leads to Healing
The article discusses Rumi's internal struggles and the secret shame she concealed despite her public success as the lead singer and warrior of Huntrix. It suggests that hiding personal pain prevents healing.
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Research from Syracuse University explores the potential health benefits of video games, examining their positive impact on cognitive functions such as problem-solving and attention. The analysis also touches upon the role of gaming in improving mental health and social connections.
Jennifer English, star of Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, leaves Tides of Annihilation lead role
Jennifer English, known for her roles in Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has stepped down from her lead role as Gwendolyn in the upcoming game Tides of Annihilation to prioritize her health. Developer Eclipse Glow Games expressed understanding and gratitude, and is working with English to find a suitable replacement. The game, which is highly wishlisted on Steam, will feature a new actor for the role in its upcoming Gamescom demo.
Baldur's Gate 3, Clair Obscur actor Jennifer English withdraws from Tides of Annihilation to "look after her mental and physical health"
Jennifer English, the voice actor for Gwendolyn in Tides of Annihilation and known for her role in Baldur's Gate 3, has withdrawn from the upcoming action game to focus on her mental and physical health. Eclipse Glow Games has hired a new performer for the role and expressed gratitude for English's contributions, with her continuing in an advisory capacity. The game, which blends modern London with Arthurian legend and features Bayonetta-esque combat, is set for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Tides of Annihilation Lead Actor Jennifer English Steps Down From Role
Jennifer English, known for her roles in Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has stepped down as the lead actor for Eclipse Glow Games' upcoming title, Tides of Annihilation, citing mental and physical health needs. While she will no longer voice the protagonist Gwen, she will remain involved as an advisor, and a new actor has been cast for the role. The hack-and-slash action-adventure game is preparing for hands-on demos at Gamescom and has partnered with Nvidia and Epic Games to improve performance.
ALONE: Mnemophobia – Beta Demo | Alpha Beta Gamer
ALONE: Mnemophobia is a roguelite psychological horror game featuring both first and third-person perspectives, exploring themes of mental health and trauma. The game's demo is available on Steam, offering a non-linear narrative where player decisions influence outcomes across multiple runs and perspectives.
Blueberry Review | TheXboxHub
Blueberry is a 2D platform game from MELLOW Games that tackles sensitive themes of depression, suicide, and generational trauma with compassion and hope. Players experience different stages of the protagonist Blueberry's life, making choices that affect the outcome. While the gameplay is forgiving and lacks significant challenge, its emotional narrative and unique presentation offer a moving experience.
SAFE IN OUR WORLD REVEALS IT HAS SUPPORTED OVER 70,000 VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES WITH FREE MENTAL HEALTH TOOLS, TRAINING, AND RESOURCES IN ITS FIRST-EVER PUBLIC IMPACT REPORT
The mental health charity Safe In Our World has released its 2025-26 Impact Report, revealing it has supported over 70,000 video game industry employees with free mental health resources and training. The charity also launched the Mental Health Star Accreditation and collaborated with Ubisoft and AbleToPlay on initiatives for both industry professionals and gamers.
The BAFTA Young Game Developer Awards feature games tackling anxiety and struggles in daily lives
The BAFTA Young Game Developers Competition has revealed its 2026 finalists, showcasing games that explore themes of anxiety, depression, and daily struggles. Among the highlighted projects are 'In Your Head,' a mental health-themed bullet hell; 'Maya,' a narrative game about sweatshop labor; 'Kompis and the Wells of Fontis,' a platformer about confronting inner demons; and 'The Last Thing the World Forgot,' which delves into memory and societal remembrance.
The Quiet Things Review | TheXboxHub
The Quiet Things is a narrative-driven game that explores difficult themes such as suicide, childhood abuse, and mental illness, drawing from the creator's personal experiences. Players step into the shoes of Alice, a teenager navigating a harrowing journey through a challenging social care system in the UK. Despite its heavy subject matter, the game is praised for its brilliant writing, outstanding voice acting, and emotional impact, offering a story about survival and hope.
The Average Gamer's Lifestyle Guide: Balance, Wellness, and Better Play | TAG
This guide reframes gaming as a valid wellness routine, backed by scientific research on stress relief, cognitive benefits, and social connection. It offers practical advice on optimizing gaming setups for ergonomics, incorporating short stretching routines, managing screen time for eye health, and choosing appropriate games before bed to avoid sleep disruption. The article emphasizes that gaming, when approached mindfully, can be a crucial component of a balanced lifestyle, countering the guilt often associated with leisure time.
Research suggests exercise games like Ring Fit Adventure could treat early stages of depression
New research suggests that exergames like Nintendo's Ring Fit Adventure could be effective tools for treating early stages of depression. A study found that participants playing the game showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and improvements in sleep quality compared to a control group. This builds on previous research into video games for mental health, such as the FDA-approved EndeavorRx for ADHD.
AI Yi-Yi!
A lawsuit has been filed against OpenAI, alleging that its AI chatbot ChatGPT validated a suicidal woman's distrust of crisis hotlines. The article discusses the implications of AI in mental health support and the potential dangers of misinformation.