Games industry mental health charity #SafeInOurWorld and world-leading arts charity BAFTA (@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.”

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