You might already be a gamer, or you might be someone that thinks video games are a waste of time; but, did you know that psychologists are researching ways that video games might be helpful to people--especially kids--seeking therapy?
In the US, for example, only one-third of teenagers requiring treatment for mental health actually receive professional assistance. This may be because of rising health costs or even social stigma of attending therapy. This is where specialised video games would come in. And many of these games currently being tested are based on existing treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Researchers in New Zealand have created a game called SPARX for treating depression. By playing the game, kids learn strategies for social interactions, relaxation and dealing with difficult emotional situations. But, instead of seeming like straightforward therapeutic treatment, these skills and lessons are hidden inside an interactive fantasy video game. When the games’ results were compared with those of kids attending regular therapy, the results for both groups of youths--about 200 kids--showed about equal improvement suggesting that SPARX might be just as effective as therapy.
Another game built to help mental health in young adults is MindLight. This game teaches lessons about anxiety as kids navigate a haunted castle. In an early study it was discovered that six sessions of gameplay MindLight equated to about eight sessions of cognitive therapy.
And you don't have to look at specially created therapeutic games to find assistance with your mental health. Researchers are finding that simple, distracting games like those you can download on your phone--stay tuned for an upcoming blog!--can improve mood, manage stress and may even help depression.
So, while it's early days still and there's a lot of work to be done, there's hope that video games will one day make mental health therapy more widely accessible.
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