By prioritizing mental health, you contribute to a safer and more positive gaming environment where players can thrive and enjoy their experiences. Openly providing these resources also helps to destigmatize mental health, encouraging those who need help to seek it.
This article offers a curated list of valuable resources and provides guidance on how to create effective support systems for your players and your team.
Important considerations
Prioritize accessibility and relevance
- Include resources that offer support in multiple languages or cater to the languages spoken by your player base.
- Be mindful of cultural differences in how mental health is perceived and addressed.
- Ensure resources are accessible to players with disabilities (e.g., screen-reader compatibility for visually impaired players).
Maintain up-to-date resources
- Designate a specific individual or team responsible for maintaining and updating the resource list. This helps ensure accountability and prevents resources from becoming outdated.
- Implement a regular review cycle (e.g., quarterly) to assess the accuracy, relevance, and completeness of the resources.
- Partner with a mental health organization to help vet resources, stay informed about best practices, and ensure your list remains current and aligned with player needs.
Optimize availability and reach
- Consider integrating resources into the game itself (e.g., a “Help” menu) to minimize the steps players need to take to access support.
- Strive for a balance of global and regional resources, ensuring players in your key operating regions have access to relevant support.
- Above all, ensure resources are easy to find, understand, and utilize for anyone experiencing a crisis.
Resources
With thousands of support services worldwide, it can feel overwhelming to know what to recommend to players. To help you navigate these options, we’ve highlighted some key resources below. For additional region-specific services, explore https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.
Worldwide / Multi-Region
- ThroughLine — Provides access to real-time crisis support in 100+ countries. (Twitch has incorporated this into their helpline support: https://twitch.findahelpline.com/.)
- Safe In Our World: Find Help — A global list of resources for help in your region.
- The Trevor Project — While not gaming-specific, they provide crisis support services to LGBTQ young people, who may be particularly vulnerable within online gaming spaces. They offer a hotline, text, and online chat options.
- Cybersmile Helpline Directory — Cybersmile provides confidential support and resources to anyone affected by online harassment and cyberbullying, promoting digital well-being and a safer online environment.
- Befrienders Worldwide — Provides emotional support to those in distress or suicidal, with services in many languages.
- International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) — A global organization dedicated to preventing suicide and suicidal behavior. Their website has a directory of suicide prevention resources around the world.
- Crisis Text Line (U.K., Ireland, Canada, U.S.) — Offers text-based support to those in need.
- 7 Cups — Connects users with trained listeners for anonymous emotional support.
- Rise Above the Disorder — Offers mental health services to those in need, including gamers, with a focus on affordability and accessibility.
- The Samaritans — Provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide.
- IGDA Mental Health Resources — The IGDA (International Game Developers Association) has a curated list of mental health resources, including crisis hotlines, online support groups, and organizations that can provide assistance.
Regional
North America
- Take This — A curated selection of emergency and non-emergency mental health resources.
- Kids Help Phone (Canada) — Offers professional counseling, information, and referrals for children and youth.
- Trans Lifeline (U.S. and Canada) — Provides trans-led emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis through a peer support hotline available 24 / 7.
- The Jed Foundation (U.S.) — Focuses on emotional health and suicide prevention for teens and young adults.
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) — Provides 24 / 7, free, and confidential support for people in distress.
Europe
- Safe In Our World — Raises awareness of mental health issues in the gaming industry and provides support resources for players and developers.
- Samaritans (U.K.) — Offers emotional support 24 / 7 for anyone struggling to cope.
- TelefonSeelsorge (Germany) — Provides anonymous and confidential support by phone or online chat.
- Mind (U.K.) — A U.K.-based mental health charity with resources and support for everyone, including gamers.
Asia
- TELL Lifeline (Japan) — Offers confidential support in English and Japanese to those in emotional distress.
- Lifeline (India) — Provides crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Oceania
- Lifeline Australia (Australia) — Offers 24 / 7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
- Beyond Blue (Australia) — An Australian mental health organization with online resources and support services.
Latin America
- SAPTEL (Mexico) — Provides emotional support and suicide prevention services.
- CVV (Brazil) — Offers volunteer-based emotional support and suicide prevention.
Resources for developers needing support
Organizations supporting game developers
- Take This — In addition to resources for players, Take This also offers consulting and support for game developers looking to support players better.
- Safe In Our World — Raises awareness of mental health issues in the gaming industry and provides support resources for players and developers. In particular:
- Community Manager Wellbeing
- Empathetic Signposting
- Event Wellbeing (in collaboration with Take This)
- IGDA Mental Health SIG (Special Interest Group) — This special interest group within the IGDA (International Game Developers Association) focuses on promoting mental wellness in the game industry. They offer resources, articles, and events related to mental health for both developers and players.
As a developer, remember that you’re not alone. If you’re struggling with your mental health, please know that these resources are available to you too. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or experiencing a crisis, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
For additional guidance and support, we also recommend exploring these resources:
- Avoiding Burnout in Values-Driven Work
- The Unsung Heroes of Gaming: The High Cost of Player Well-Being
Your well-being matters. You are seen, valued, and supported.
Acknowledgments
These resources were compiled with input from many developers and mental health specialists.
A final note: Please contribute
Help us keep these critical resources up-to-date by sharing any relevant websites or updated information through our contact form. By working together, we can ensure that players in need have access to the support they deserve wherever they are in the world.
Now what?
If you would like to learn more about this topic, please consider the following articles:
Guidelines and resources to help you and your team support players in crisis.
This guide provides essential guidance on how to support players in crisis with compassion and care, even if you’re not a trained crisis responder.
Prioritize emotional regulation by implementing design choices that minimize stress, empower player agency, and encourage healthy social interaction.
Create support resources that feel authentic, engaging, and relevant to players, increasing the likelihood that they’ll have a positive impact.
