Video games for mental health

Abstract

In recent years, mental illness has become recognized as a major disease burden globally. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability around the globe [1]. But not everyone has access to care. This has created a need for innovative approaches to close the mental-health access gap, spurring interest in new digital tools that provide on-demand, scalable, and affordable care. One possible solution: video games, which offer several characteristics that are well suited to the context of mental health [2], including interactivity, aesthetics, and narrative. However, many open questions remain about the impact of game-based interventions, the effects of..