I’ve written about studies regarding how videogames help weight loss, don’t help weight loss, help old people’s minds, eyesight, memory and, most importantly for me, affect depression. Well the people in lab coats (in this case, researchers from New Zealand), are working towards giving gaming a better image in terms of mental health and depression and have created a game that’s meant to help fight depression.

Called SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic,  X-Factor), each level of the game teaches a skill for helping with mental problems.

26% of teens who were going through traditional care had their depression going into remission, but for ones that played the game the number was up at 44%.

Apparently 80% of teens who suffer with depression don’t get professional care, and due to the fact that the game doesn’t require active supervision or discussing problems with an adult, the game’s reach and potential audience is pretty high.

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