Mental health and well being is an important topic that isn't always addressed. Representation of mental health issues extends to gaming because players become immersed in the world and characters they play as. This gives players a chance to experience things they otherwise wouldn't. Having characters with mental health issues can reduce stigma, raise awareness, and help people.
Adventures With Anxiety!
Adventures with Anxiety gives some perspective on what it's like to live with anxiety through its choice-based story. The game follows a young adult in the age of social media and college partying. You play as a red wolf, the manifestation of this character's anxiety, which acts as a guard dog trying to warn the human of possible dangers. While the wolf doesn't mean harm through its warnings, it causes the human distress turning their self-preservation into self-deprecation. The human and wolf learn to communicate with each other acknowledging the wolf's fears and how to cope with those fears. You can play Adventures With Anxiety! for free on ithci.io.
Off Day
Off Day is a short point-and-click visual novel about appreciating the little things in life. It follows Melody, a young adult who is struggling (feeling down). She tries to take the time to find comfort and appreciate the people, things, and pets that surround her. Off Day has a relaxing soundtrack accompanied by aesthetic visuals. You can play Off Day for free on ithci.io.
Gris
Gris is a puzzle platformer that deals with the loss of a loved one without dialogue. It follows a young girl who is lost and dealing with a painful experience in her life. The protagonist faces the five stages of grief. After facing each stage of grief, color is brought back into her life, each color representing a different stage of grief. Follow the main character as they come to terms with loss on an emotional level, expressed through imagery, color, and music. Gris is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and STEAM.
Night In The Woods
Night In the Woods is a story-based exploration game that alludes to anxiety, depression, and depersonalization-derealization disorder. The game follows a young woman named Mae Borowski, who recently dropped out of college after three semesters and returned to her hometown Possum Springs. After returning home, she discovered several townsfolk, including one of her friends, disappeared. This information leads her to investigate the town with three of her friends. She uncovers secrets about the town, her family, her friends, and even herself. Night In The Woods is available on the Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and STEAM.
Before I Forget
Before I Forget is a first-person narrative exploration game. You play as Sonita, a woman dealing with early-onset dementia. You explore her house, uncovering her past through objects and the fleeting memories associated with them. You experience firsthand the struggles of Sonita's everyday life and muddled memories. The game is narrated by Anjali Kunapaneni and Bushra Laskar. Before I Forget is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and STEAM.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health there are resources listed below
U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line 741741
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988
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