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Suicide prevention with games

A topic by Mind-blower humanSR created Feb 05, 2021 Views: 764 Replies: 9
Viewing posts 1 to 6
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We have power to enhance people mental health and prevent suicide. And you know that Spiderman quote.

"I lost once, so I will never play this game again!"said no gamer ever, but sadly part of the same people make an exception about the biggest game of them all - life. And if it is not suicide, then people are stressed much more than they should, negatively impacting their health, lifespan and quality. If this discrepancy, gap between how people are in game and in life could be closed, then depression (in near future the most dangerous disease in developed countries) could be greatly reduced. "Game over" would not feel as ultimate end, but as a sign to learn from mistakes and do better the next time.

Also mental health for many people is taboo, even to such degree that they cannot admit to themselves that they have a problem, in order to protect their ego. That is why PROPERLY MADE games are so great tool due to high engagement, player's anonymity and even being Trojan horse of help. 

In my opinion important part of growing as game dev is moving from pleasuring yourself (making interesting games for yourself, striving for fame and money) to  answering to this question "What POSITIVE action player will take after playing my game?"

So embrace your inner superhero and make world a little bit brighter place!

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Suicide is an ugly, desctructive and brutal thing. I wish you luck with your quest ;)

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I am grateful for your encouragement. Games teach us many useful things, but many cannot put 2 and 2 together. What have you learnt from games? For example, we make RPG party from various roles (tank, healer, mage etc.) or soccer team has different positions (goalkeeper, defender, attacker), BUT many people consider diversity in their working environment totally different thing. This is my tour of my newest game (hope to see your about your games) - it can be abridged 

or extended

I hope that your games, tours to somebody will help to see the sky.

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This is a very interesting topic. I've made lot of research about mentall illness and I know close people who suffers from them. I am always willing to learn more about psycology and psychiatrist so I can understand better and help people, and also, help myself with better understanding of human nature and brain. I know that in society it's a bit of taboo but mental health affects all of us.  I think that everyone is mental ill or have some personality disorder to some degree. Always thought that with videogames there can be a way to help people, but I still need to learn more about GameDev/Psychology/Mental Helath so I can do it properly. Maybe in a near future I can do it when I get more experience.

Your comment inspires me and I would be honored if you helped me (and if you have a game, maybe even planned, I could do the same for you). I use Instagram to test the game. I wish to make it as accessable as possible so it is on Android (with planned on Windows) and for free (some point maybe pay what you want with revenue given to charities helping suicide prevention), because at death bed people rarely regret not earning enough money and remember people they helped. In development of this type games I do not have competitors, only allies of good. My attempt - https://mindblower-humansr.itch.io/jojoish-coin-shooter

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Sounds good! Let's talk on discrod if you want (Dukebot#9874)

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minecraft

Your answer is cheating to some extend, because "Minecraft" is like water - the game's experience is VERY shaped by player. The outcome can be beautiful sculpture or ugly abomination.  

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This is a very unique suicide prevention related game. https://battlerock.itch.io/humptydumpty

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Thank you for sharing this great example about mentally healthy person - even if there is negative thoughts, you can choose to concentrate on good ones. This game shows that it is not that happy people does not have negative stimulus, but that they manage the impulses. Of course it is useful to confront reasonable negative thoughts and seek solution.