Digital Futures Conference - Unbinding Stigma

Question 1

Slide 1: Introduction

Answer 1

Hi, my name is Lakshya :) Today I want to talk to you about the potential of video games to combat mental health stigma. In a world where pixels and emotions can now intersect, join me as we embark on a quest to dismantle stereotypes, foster empathy, and level up conversation about mental health in gaming.

Question 2

Slide 2: Unexplored implications

Answer 2

While the effects of stigmatising mental health depictions have been studied, the impact of material culture and psychiatric settings in media, especially interactive mediums like video games, remains underexplored.

Question 3

Slide 3: Bridging Gaps

Answer 3

I’d like to discuss extending our focus beyond enhancing portrayals of mental health in characters. Let’s explore enhancing the environments and interactive elements they engage with. This can help counter the stigma tied to powerful psychiatric objects and settings.

Question 4

Slide 4: Examining Horror Games

Answer 4

In various video games, we see stereotypical representations not only extend to characters but also to objects and settings. My BSc research project involved three distinct games, each perpetuating stereotypes related to the straitjacket and restraint.

Question 5

Slide 5: Symbolism and Themes

Answer 5

Within the games I analysed, the straitjacket becomes a potent symbol, interwoven with themes of madness, fear and control. Restraint embodies a stereotype of brutal asylum treatment, whilst also framing individuals as insane and too dangerous to be freed.

Question 6

Slide 6: Contribution to Stigma

Answer 6

In gaming, interactive elements like controls and immersive visuals can amplify the portrayal of psychiatric themes and settings, potentially leading to harmful stigmatisation due to the heightened impact of encountering these elements in dynamic gameplay compared to passive media like film.

Question 7

Slide 7: Importance of Reducing Stigma

Answer 7

Psychiatric stigma can hinder help-seeking, sustain societal taboos, and affect care.For instance, Mind UK’s restraint report highlights the impact, emphasising the need for staff training and empathy to improve patient experience. Destigmatising these aspects of mental health is crucial.

Question 8

Slide 8: Catalyst for Change

Answer 8

You might be wondering, after explaining how video games can inadvertently contribute to stigma, why I believe they can be part of the solution. The same mechanics that contribute to stigma can also serve as powerful tools to combat it.

Question 9

Slide 9: Collaborative Approach

Answer 9

Enter “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice,” known for its empathetic portrayal of psychosis. This game showcases how involving patients and healthcare experts in game development can destigmatize mental illness by nurturing empathy, highlighting the potential of such partnerships.

Question 10

Slide 10: Positive Impact of Gaming

Answer 10

Applying this approach to depict mental health settings and treatments in gaming can enhance understanding, bridging the gap to destigmatize mental illness by making treatment relatable. Sensitively portraying all aspects of mental health in games can cultivate empathy.

Question 11

Slide 11: Empowerment Through Interaction

Answer 11

Let’s tap into gaming’s strengths. Interactivity empowers, turning objects into tools and mechanisms. Digital bodies create a sense of presence. With AR and VR, games can become even more immersive, enabling firsthand exploration of mental health settings and items.

Question 12

Slide 12: Personal Transformation

Answer 12

Interaction in gaming offers agency, breaking barriers to understanding treatment experiences. AI and machine learning can personalise journeys, shaping environments based on user interactions, enhancing engagement and comprehension.

Question 13

Slide 13: Myth Dispelling

Answer 13

Games challenge mental health myths, as seen in “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.” Infusing patient perspectives into games can spark transformative conversations. Imagine a game representing restraint sensitively, that allowed openly sharing experiences of restraint and replacing shame with understanding.

Question 14

Slide 14: Inclusive and Diverse Design

Answer 14

To debunk myths, we need a solid knowledge foundation. Engaging diverse stakeholders—patients, healthcare pros, families, even historians—builds a comprehensive portrayal of mental health. This inclusivity fosters understanding, dismantling misconceptions.

Question 15

Slide 15: Ethical Development

Answer 15

Balancing sensitivity and creativity in representing personal and challenging experiences like medication, hospitalisation, restraint, or therapy is essential for engaging narratives that foster empathy when bringing in stakeholders.

Question 16

Slide 16: Therapeutic Potential

Answer 16

Games can also rise above stigma, becoming therapeutic tools for mental health. “Celeste” and “Adventures with Anxiety” exemplify this, aiding players in navigating tough emotions. So games have potential to both reduce stigma on a societal level, and provide personal, individualised support.

Question 17

Slide 17: A Medium for All

Answer 17

Diverse game styles cater to various ages, tastes, and abilities, offering endless creative opportunities. Games can be accessed through PCs, games consoles, apps, and phones, ensuring broad inclusivity.

Question 18

Slide 18: Global Impact

Answer 18

Video games, with their global reach, connect diverse people and have the potential to shape attitudes toward mental health on a massive scale, even impacting popular culture and social media. This could lead to positive shifts in societal perceptions of mental health treatments and environments.

Question 19

Slide 19: Call to Action

Answer 19

So let’s bring gamers, clinicians, patients, and developers together to build a platform that offers insights into mental health, dismantling stigma by reshaping how we perceive mental health treatments and settings through collaborative efforts.

Question 20

Slide 20: Transformation and Conclusion

Answer 20

Through precise portrayal and collaboration, video games can revolutionise perceptions and combat mental health stigma surrounding treatment and environments as well as people. Let’s unlock their potential for understanding, support, and empowerment. Thank you for listening! 🙂