Online gaming aims to build resiliency in young people

The Herald Sun, Blanche Clark, 18 September 2007

 

Reach Out!, Australia’s leading mental health website for young people has created a new online game, Reach Out
Central (ROC), which is designed to help students and young people build resiliency and identify the signs of anxiety
and depression.

Modelled off such games as The Sims and Grand Theft Auto, ROC is a ‘serious’ game that uses the entertainment
platform of technology to send across a serious message. A journey through ROC is never the same as it depends on each player’s choices; the game’s variables alter with every decision made.

Jonathan Nicholas, Director of programmes for Inspire Foundation, believes that ‘for young people, the consequences
of their decisions and conversations usually don’t play out for a long time. This game allows them to test-drive their responses and find out the consequences very quickly.’

Some of the game’s simulated situations are ‘being invited to a party, witnessing bullying, and reacting to the death of
a character in a car accident’. ROC also incorporates a ‘mood meter’ that tracks players’ moods during conversations
and activities. Also, ROC aims to prevent young people from spending too much time on the internet, so all storylines
only take an hour to run through their course.

Recent research conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing found that 49 percent of young Australians aged 15-24 suffer from anxiety and depression.

Mr Nicholas says that ‘research has found that 72 percent of young males and 48 percent of young females play some kind of electronic game. We are the first to bring mental health information to them in the gaming environment and we hope to have a positive impact.’

For further information, visit the following websites:

Reach Out Central

Reach Out!

Inspire Foundation

Beyondblue

 

 

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