The young developer sparking mental health conversations in gaming

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Posted 4 March, 2020

By Jamie Watts

London, UK

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At the age of just 17 Emily Mitchell has already won a Young Games Designer BAFTA and has spurred vital conversations concerning mental health in the gaming community.

The stigma surrounding mental health has largely been eradicated in recent years thanks to a constantly expanding consortium of specialist organisations and initiatives. People today are more aware, accepting, and crucially are more willing to partake in vital conversations than ever before. However, it would be foolish to suggest that there isn’t further work to be done.

Thankfully, young advocates like Emily Mitchell are continuing to raise awareness across relatively untapped communities. At the age of just 17, Emily has channeled her own life-long struggles with anxiety and depression into the medium of gaming – specifically game development.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSStzBzc3c

Fractured Minds Trailer | Safe In Our World | Xbox One | Reveal Trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSStzBzc3c)

The young Brit developed a first-person puzzle adventure game which imaginatively explores the human psyche, pointedly the struggles of a mental health sufferer. Fractured Minds landed Emily a BAFTA in 2017 for best ‘Young Games Developer’ and has since been spruced up and published by Wired Productions. The game is now available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Steam for a small price, with some of the proceeds going towards the new games industry charity ‘Safe In Our World‘.

Emily’s hope is that Fractured Minds will help players better identify with mental health issues, and act as a cathartic experience for those currently suffering. The game also aims to reassure the player that they are not alone in how they’re feeling.

Click here to see more of gaming’s contributions to mental health.

Jamie Watts

Senior Writer London, UK

I’m Jamie (He/Him), the Deputy Editor and a Senior Writer at Thred. Keeping up with social media updates and revolutionary technology is my forte, but when away from my keyboard, you’ll probably find me wrapped around a large Tango ice blast at the latest mediocre horror flick. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

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