Mental health charity Safe In Our World and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) have joined forces to organize a mental health summit for games industry professionals. The event will take place at BAFTA’s London headquarters at 195 Piccadilly on Monday, May 22nd, starting at 9:00 am. The summit will feature an array of keynotes, panels, workshops, and roundtables led by experienced industry speakers and mental health clinical consultants.
Scheduled after Mental Health Awareness Week, the Games Industry Mental Health Summit aims to provide an affordable and accessible experience for industry professionals at all levels. The event will offer practical advice on various topics, including avoiding burnout, managing negative community sentiment, seeking help when necessary, and fostering mental well-being across the industry.
Sarah Sorrell, Charity Manager at Safe In Our World, emphasized the importance of promoting open dialogue about mental health in the games industry, given that one in four people in the UK experience a mental health issue. The partnership with BAFTA offers an opportunity to dedicate an entire day to providing vital information to industry peers.
The summit’s activities will focus on delivering tangible takeaways that attendees can apply in their professional roles and daily lives. A full list of speakers will be announced in the next two weeks. Tickets are available for purchase at £10.00, with concession tickets priced at £7.50.
Luke Hebblethwaite, Head of Games at BAFTA, acknowledged the immense effort required to create games and the pressures faced by those in the industry. He stressed the importance of equipping individuals and businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to recognize, understand, and address mental health concerns. BAFTA’s collaboration with Safe In Our World aims to elevate discussions about mental health in the gaming industry and ensure that the well-being of game creators is not compromised.
