Headspace: Discover games with mental health benefits through AbleToPlay

Safe In Our World has partnered with AbleToPlay to create “Headspace” – a new mental health-focused category on the community-driven platform that helps gamers discover accessible games!

We’re thrilled to announce that Safe In Our World has been working with the amazing folks at AbleToPlay to develop a new way for gamers to discover games with mental health benefits. But first, what is AbleToPlay?

AbleToPlay helps players find accessible games

AbleToPlay is a free, community-driven platform that helps gamers with disabilities find games they can fully enjoy. You can create a private profile of your physical and cognitive accessibility needs, then search for games that meet them. Whether you’re looking for subtitle customisation, cross-platform coop, or simply want to avoid games with spiders, AbleToPlay is the platform to turn to in your search.

Safe In Our World jumped at the chance to collaborate on a new category for AbleToPlay, focusing on finding games that can help players relax, encourage social connection, offer a creative outlet, and much more. And so, Headspace was born!

“Mental health is a fundamental part of accessibility, and knowing what kind of game you’re about to jump into can be the difference between finding a new favorite, or being caught off-guard,” said Arman Nobari, co-founder of AbleToPlay. “Our partnership with Safe In Our World seeks to bring new kinds of support to gamers everywhere, to find games that truly fit their needs.”

Headspace highlights the mental health benefits of gaming

With the input of our Clinical Advisory Board, Safe In Our World determined the criteria for the Headspace category. We wanted Headspace to help players appreciate the scope of how games can support their mental health, which is reflected in the options presented to users.

You can refine your search to include low-pressure games that help you unwind, or find games that challenge you in meaningful ways. You can opt for games that feel familiar, soothing, and safe through task-based play, or team up to build relationships through cooperative gaming.

If you’re in the mood to learn, Headspace help you discover games that share educational insights about mental health, or games that centre a personal mental health story or lived experience as the narrative or design. There’s even the option to help you find games that teach self-soothing or therapeutic techniques, such as grounding or breathing.

“Games have an incredible capacity to educate and support mental ill health and mental illness,” says Sky Tunley-Stainton, Head of Programmes at Safe In Our World. “We are thrilled to have been able to work with AbleToPlay on the Headspace Mental Health category to help gamers identify titles that can support them in gaining knowledge, skills, or simply a relaxing escape for managing their own mental health.”

We’re excited for you to discover the many benefits that AbleToPlay brings to the video game community – and explore how Headspace can help your mental health! Why not set up a profile and see for yourself?