Last week, video games mental health charity organization, Safe In Our World, announced #LevelUpMentalHealth - its new global initiative to support mental health awareness. Along with the support of major gaming companies within the industry, #LevelUpMentalHealth looks to “create and foster worldwide awareness within the video game industry and eliminate the stigma around employees who live with mental health conditions.”

While the campaign extends outside of the industry to provide support and awareness for consumers, the main point is to highlight mental awareness within the industry; an industry often criticized for its crunch and overworking of employees to satisfy release dates or otherwise.

Ever since reports of hostile work environments and employees being asked to work 60+ hour weeks became public - a plethora of which occurred last year - mental health awareness has been a major focus around the industry, especially in letting individuals know that they are not alone in their mental health struggles. A recent survey in the United Kingdom reported that 31% of respondents live with anxiety, depression, or both, while the national average sits at 17%.

Some of the new additions to Safe In Our World’s initiative include companies such as 505 Games, Outright Games, UberStrategist, Koeken Interactive, and ONE PR Studio. Joining Safe In Our World means that these companies are adhering to three things:

  • Committing to taking the first steps in rolling out a mental health policy in the next 12 months Joining Safe in our World as a partner and committing to supporting mental health within the videogames industry Helping to spread the message to creators and players by sharing messaging and signposting inside the workplace and externally to players via media channels

Leo Zullo, Chairman of Safe In Our World had this to say about the global interest and the #LevelUpMentalHealth initiative, “We’re beyond proud to see so much support for our cause from the industry, but now it’s time to turn that support into action. The #LevelUpMentalHealth campaign will form a major part of our activities now and in the future.”

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