Navigating the Challenging Path of Mental Health Advocacy

The games industry has become more open to providing mental health resources for its employees over the years. However, there is still much work to be done to combat stigma and increase support. Take This, an organization that has been working towards this goal since 2012, has seen the cultural conversation around mental health shift dramatically, particularly with the impact of COVID-19. Executive Director Eve Crevoshay and Clinical Program Manager Cassie Walker discuss the difficulties of advocacy work, including the need to address the root causes of distress, such as racism and sexism in the workplace. They emphasize the importance of creating safe spaces for people to discuss their mental health and the need for vulnerability and accountability. The organization practices what it preaches, offering a space for consultants to voice concerns freely and implementing work and materials from people of color. Maintaining their own mental health is also critical to running the organization, and they prioritize setting boundaries and taking time for themselves. Take This plans to expand its staff, hiring a more diverse range of people to make the organization safer and more welcoming for everyone.