Designing Games to Challenge the Stigma Around Mental Health

Take This, a mental health nonprofit focused on the games industry, announced in February 2022 the release of a white paper titled "Designing Games to Challenge the Stigma Around Mental Health." The paper was written by Matthew Whitby, a Take This intern and York University PhD student, together with Dr. Rachel Kowert, the organization's research director. The announcement serves as a brief introduction and pointer to the full publication rather than a presentation of research findings.

The white paper is positioned as a practical tool for game designers, aimed at helping them build games that actively counter mental health stigma or, at minimum, avoid reinforcing it. Its central contribution is a set of guiding questions intended for studio leads, designers, and community managers to consider throughout game development. These questions are meant to help teams avoid common pitfalls and treat mental health themes with sensitivity and accuracy while still producing high-quality games. The paper also includes best-practice examples and concrete design prompts.

The announcement contains no data, statistics, or described methodology, and it does not specify geographic scope or the particular game genres or industry segments addressed. Its audience is broadly the game development community, including those in design, leadership, and community management roles. Two linked videos accompany the post, presumably providing supplementary explanation of the paper's themes.

Take This describes itself as a 501(c)(3) organization that combines clinical best practice with an understanding of gaming culture to reduce stigma and increase mental health support for game developers, streamers, creators, and players. The white paper reflects that mission by translating mental health considerations into actionable guidance for the people who shape game content and communities.