If you're in London (England) at the start of June, Safe In Our World is arranging a day-long event in Piccadilly Circus to explore the topic of mental health in the games industry. SIOW is a charity that helps support gamers and developers with improving their wellbeing through programs, publications, and more.
The event, Games Mental Health Summit, is set to be held at the BAFTA venue on Monday, June 3rd and run from 9am to 5pm. Tickets cost just £15 for the full day.
After a packed day (check out the schedule below!), Doug Cockle (actor, The Witcher) will be taking to the stage during the final event, Voices for Change. He will be alongside Alix Wilton-Regan (actor, Warhammer: End Times - Vermitide), Jess Hayles (actor, Hogwarts Legacy), in a panel hosted by Kate Saxon (Performance Director).
Remedy fans may recognise Cockle as the actor behind FBI Agent Robert Nightingale in Alan Wake 2, providing players with their first encounter of a Taken after ten years.
In the SIOW panel, the actors will be discussing their own mental health experiences in the hopes of normalising discussions within the industy.
Check out the Safe In Our World event, HERE!
Source & Image Source: Doug Cockle's Twitter
Games Mental Health Summit Schedule
Safe Spaces: Factors to consider in building online safety for player communities and teams
Creative and Future Galleries
10:00 - 10:45
Safe In Our World and PTW discuss the multifaceted landscape of online safety, uncovering key elements for supporting players, users, communities, and frontline teams to create secure and impactful environments. The session will highlight the critical factors that contribute to constructing and maintaining secure environments where players and community teams can thrive without compromising their safety. From privacy concerns to combating toxicity, we will explore a comprehensive range of issues affecting player communities and teams. We will share insights on successful strategies, innovative approaches, and real-world case studies that have proven effective in mitigating risks and enhancing the overall safety net.
Speakers: Nee Nguyen, Neil Alex Long and Sky Tunley-Stainton
Levelling the playing field: Social mobility and driving change
Creative and Future Galleries
11:15 – 12:00
Come and join us to map out and discuss tangible actions the industry can take to tackle the topic of social mobility in games, in an interactive session hosted by BAFTA’s Head of Games Luke Hebblethwaite.
How to Avoid Burnout
Princess Anne Theatre
11:30 – 12:15
Join this talk led by Stuart John Chuan, a qualified psychologist, as he shares tangible tips on how to recognise and avoid burnout. He will be looking at the challenges of working from home and how that can affect your wellbeing, as well as, discussing ideas on how to build personal and business resilience.
Stuart initially trained as a Forensic Psychologist and qualified over 17 years ago. Since then he’s worked in a number of clinical leadership positions across prisons, psychiatric hospitals and in various community based services such as probation, police, NHS and local authority and corporate banking.
How to Human: A Leader's Guide to Self-Advocacy
Creative and Future Galleries
13:30 – 14:15
“Don’t take it personally” is a phrase many of us have come across in our lives and it often frustrates and upsets us when we hear it. It is synonymous with our lives in the workplace where we sometimes feel our identities, emotions and needs have to take a backseat. What if there was another way?
This session led by Lisa Marie-Hall addresses that while the phrase may be problematic, there is a grain of truth hidden inside it. Join her to learn how it can be used to better connect with people and safeguard fundamental parts of your identity.
Navigating Uncertainty
Princess Anne Theatre
13:45 - 14:30
Hosted by Stuart Chuan, this panel discussion will hear from individuals who have been impacted by layoffs and the changing landscape of the video games industry over the last year. We will discuss the mental health impact of navigating uncertainty, as well as sharing insights on how to build resilience and move forward from setbacks.
Speakers: Kim Parker-Adcock and Konstantin Semionov
De-mystifying the 4-day work week
Creative and Future Galleries
14:45 – 15:30
The 4-day work week has been gaining increasing traction across multiple industries, and research suggests that it has improved reported symptoms of burnout, decreased sick days, and increased employee retention. Nonetheless, it remains a somewhat daunting step for many companies to take. Emma Smith brings together a panel of industry leaders who have pioneered the 4-day work week to discuss how and why they implemented it, and share any learnings they made along the way
Building Resilience Against Setbacks
Creative and Future Galleries
16:00 – 16:45
Michelle White, a positive psychologist and coach who specialises in the screen industries, leads this workshop on ways to build sustainable resilience into your life and career. Drawing on research Michelle will share brain friendly tips and guidance on healthy ways to navigate setbacks and move forward. You will leave the session with tools for developing a more healthy approach to set backs and with the understanding of how to create more stability and resilience in your own life.
Voices for Change
Princess Anne Theatre
16:15 – 17:00
This panel, hosted by Kate Saxon, of industry professionals with games performance experience will discuss their own experience with mental health and wellbeing, with the aim of normalising industry conversations of the topic. You will also here them share insights on best industry practices specifically regarding acting in games, and the change they’d like to see.
Speakers: Doug Cockle, Alix Wilton-Regan, Jess Hayles
