Australian Video Games Non-Profit CheckPoint Launch Mental Health Kickstarter

Australian not-for-profit organisation CheckPoint has just launched their Kickstarter campaign, with the aim of producing a series of online resources supporting people with mental illness, and how video games can help.

You may be wondering, “What does this have to do with Vooks?”, as it is not Nintendo-specific. However, video games are a universal language and pillar of support for many struggling with life. I wrote an article for PC & Tech Authority and Hyper last year about how video games help people with mental illness, including the work CheckPoint is doing to support the cause. The people I interviewed cited many different games from different genres and consoles as helping relieve their symptoms or being vital to their recovery. Games from a range of Nintendo series are among many that offer a safe refuge to those fighting their illnesses. Even Breath of the Wild contains a touching message to people on the verge of giving up.

CheckPoint’s campaign will see them create a web-series which will serve as a support and educational tool for mental health and video games. Led by Dr Jennifer Hazel, who is currently conducting further research into the effects of playing video games, the Kickstarter has already raised (at the time of writing) over $5,000 of its $55,000 goal in less than half a day.

If would like to support this awesome cause, you can visit the Kickstarter and choose from a variety of pledge levels.

And please, if you or someone you know needs help, there are a range of great resources you can access:

Lifeline: 13 11 14
beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
headspace
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800