Integrating Mental Health Awareness into the Gaming Industry's Core

Safe In Our World's partnerships and training manager, Sky Tunley-Stainton, envisions a future where discussing mental health is as commonplace as discussing any other aspect of well-being. The charity's mission is to foster a positive and supportive environment for mental health, benefiting not just players, but also developers, publishers, and the entire gaming industry. Tunley-Stainton emphasizes the importance of starting conversations that can change lives and bring about a cultural shift in how mental health is perceived and supported. One of the primary hurdles to achieving this goal is the industry's tendency to view mental health support as a 'nice to have' rather than an essential component of a company's operations. To combat this, Safe In Our World offers free resources and partnership opportunities to help make mental health support more accessible. The charity encourages studios to promote better conversations around mental health, avoid using stigmatizing language, and create a supportive environment for people with mental health conditions. By sharing diverse stories and experiences, Safe In Our World aims to destigmatize mental health discussions and promote empathy and understanding. The organization also recognizes the need to focus on the experiences of underrepresented communities and has developed global training sessions and resources to address these specific needs. Additionally, Safe In Our World has released a self-help book, Sidekick: The Video Games Mental Health Journal, which provides a physical space for individuals to reflect on their mental health journey. The charity has also trained community managers in mental health first aid and boundary setting. Looking ahead, Tunley-Stainton is optimistic about the growth of mental health advocacy, with plans to roll out more training and resources, expand the network of level-up mental health partners, and support the industry in embedding mental health into its core operations.