Safe in Our World, a mental health charity for the video games industry, launches today
No matter who you are, you’ve probably had some trouble with your mental health in the past, now or may even some time in the future. Safe in Our World is a mental health charity, founded by gaming industry veterans Gareth Williams, Leo Zullo and Neil Broadhead, with involvement from Aaron Cooper and Al Hibberd. For them, they imagined creating a safe haven for gamers and those part of the video game industry. The charity has launched today too, on the day that is also known as World Mental Health day.
The aim of Safe in Our World is to help spread awareness of mental health issues among gamers and creators, and affecting positive change within the video games industry. With so many people playing video games in the world (over 50%!), and with one in every four people affected by mental health issues, the charity knows that it has a tough task ahead.
But they won’t be alone. They’ll be supported by a number of industry luminaries, veterans and ambassadors across the world, and its mission is to create an online destination where people can seek help, gain access to resources and information, and discover stories from real people within and surrounding the games industry.
One way the charity aims to help promote mental health is by introducing a number of games that address mental health issues, starting with Fractured Minds. Fractured Minds is a game by then-17-year-old Emily Mitchell. She found a place for herself in video game development, and even went on to become a 2017 BAFTA Young Games Designer award winner.
Other games that will be used to support this cause will be announced sometime in the future.
Chair and Trustee, Leo Zullo commented, “The video games industry creates worlds for a huge number of vulnerable people, and it is our duty to help and support them. We can reach them and share this message if we work together; we can actually make a difference.” He continued, “Safe In Our World is the first step in these efforts, and we’re delighted with the response within the industry and the partners and individuals who are joining this initiative.”
Gina Jackson, Trustee for Safe In Our World commented, “There’s so much work to do in both awareness and the changing of attitudes within our industry, as well as within the communities we create and serve. Safe In Our World takes its first steps today, and we’re delighted that Emily has allowed Fractured Minds to support the charity. It’s such a poignant experience, and one we’re humbled she’s allowing us to share with the world in aid of Safe In Our World.”
Interested in hearing more? Please go support Safe in Our World and be sure to keep reading Gayming Magazine.
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