Games industry mental health charity Safe In Our World and world-leading arts charity BAFTA have partnered together to host a mental health summit for games industry professionals. Taking place at BAFTA’s iconic London headquarters at 195 Piccadilly from 9.00 am on Monday 22nd May, attendees can expect an open day full of keynotes, panels, workshops, and roundtables – delivered by knowledgeable industry speakers and mental health clinical consultants.
Taking place after Mental Health Awareness Week, the Games Industry Mental Health Summit is open to everyone within the industry regardless of experience level and has been designed with affordability and approachability in mind. Visitors will be able to access practical advice on topics such as avoiding burnout, dealing with negative community sentiment, reaching out for help when needed, and how industry leaders can foster mental well-being across the industry.
“With 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health problem of some kind in the UK, we’re always striving to create a more open dialogue around mental health within the games industry,” says Sarah Sorrell, Charity Manager at Safe In Our World. “Partnering with BAFTA has given us the opportunity to dedicate a whole day to helping our industry peers access vital and even life-saving information.”
Safe In Our World and BAFTA are keen to stress the importance of mental health awareness, and each of the day’s activities focuses on offering tangible takeaways that industry members can use within their roles and across their day-to-day lives. A full list of speakers will be announced within the next 2 weeks and tickets can be purchased here for the affordable price of £10.00 / £7.50 concessions.
“Games are an incredible art form that require a wealth of creative and technical expertise and hard work to make. As with any creative medium, the creative talents behind them dedicate a great deal of time and energy to their creations and, sometimes, the pressures they face can be high,” explains Luke Hebblethwaite, Head of Games at BAFTA.
“Mental health issues can affect any and all of us, so it is crucial we empower both individuals and businesses in games with the knowledge and tools to be able to recognise, understand, and address the well-being of both ourselves and those around us in order to ensure the games we love do not come at the cost of the health of those making them. We are delighted to be collaborating with Safe In Our World, who do excellent work in this space, and to use BAFTA’s platform to help elevate mental health discussions in our industry.”
About Safe In Our WorldSafe In Our World is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 1183344. A team of seasoned gaming veterans passionate about mental health brainstormed for over two years over ways they could make a difference. Launched on World Mental Health Day on October 10th, 2019, its aims are to raise awareness of mental health within the video games industry and to provide resources, signpost help, and drive change for everyone connected with the industry – from developers, publishers, and service providers to content creators and players. Its initial mission is to create an online destination where people can seek help, gain access to resources and information, and discover stories from real people within and surrounding the games industry, with more detailed policies available via the website. Safe In Our World is a worldwide hub accessible for anyone in need.
About BAFTABAFTA is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For more, visit www.bafta.org. BAFTA is a registered charity (no. 216726).
