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Media opportunity: Dalhousie University professor taps into the power of gaming to help people struggling with mental health

Posted by Communications and Marketing on July 27, 2022 in News

A computer scientist with academic roots in psychology has created a game for change that hopes to make a difference in the lives of people suffering with mental health by battling stigma.

Above Water, a mixed-reality (MR) game that uses both physical cards and a mobile app, aims to educate individuals about anxiety and help them find and access resources from trusted providers. It also seeks to strengthen communities and create environments that encourage collaboration within the game to discuss difficult topics, bust myths and ask questions while preserving their privacy by hiding their identity

Dr. Rina Wehbe, the game’s designer and an assistant professor in Dal's Faculty of Computer Science, hopes the game will play a part in helping shatter the stigma around mental health disorders.

Above Water is a card game with an online game component. While playing the card game, certain cards direct you to the online app where players engage with content through mini games. Each game has a different purpose that brings about either serious conversation in a safe space or a brief moment of levity and self-care.

Dr. Wehbe is available to discuss the unique game and how she hopes Above Water will make a difference by helping people excel in life and find happiness.

Links to paper and video outlining the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVosNfc6v38 and https://games.jmir.org/2022/2/e21376

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Media contact:

Alison Auld
Senior Research Reporter
Communications, Marketing and Creative Services
Dalhousie University
Cell: 1-902-220-0491
Email: alison.auld@dal.ca


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