DeepWell is a video game developer and publisher dedicated to making games that are simultaneously world-class entertainment and therapeutic for a myriad of mental health conditions. Founded by game industry veteran Mike Wilson and medtech innovator Ryan Douglas, the company is guided by an advisory board of more than 40 industry-leading creators, game designers, scientists, quality, regulatory and medical professionals.

GGJ is operated by the Global Game Jam, Inc., an international non-profit organization based in San Luis Obispo, California, with a mission to empower individuals worldwide to learn, experiment, and create together through the medium of games. 

Running from May 1-22, 2022, DeepWell DTx’s First Annual Mental Health Game Jam is committed to engaging and challenging our community to use their powerful skills to create games that:

• Demonstrate how video game themes and mechanics can be utilized as treatment mechanisms
• Help dispel misconceptions and social stigma related to openly discussing and addressing mental health issues
• Build community that works to connect and support those suffering from stress, anxiety and depression

During the course of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the trendlines around worldwide mental health challenges have accelerated at a rapid pace. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) projects that one in five people in the U.S. receive a mental illness diagnosis each year and as many as one in two people will receive a diagnosis of a mental health issue in their lifetime. The real and qualitative costs of not addressing mental wellness in society are enormous with impacts including job instability, workplace stress, and online harassment.

Addressing mental health challenges by providing treatment and support is essential to creating cultures that embrace diversity, acknowledging the role of game creators and the often untapped power of play.

Enter DeepWell DTx – a new video game publisher and developer dedicated to creating best-in-class gameplay that can simultaneously entertain and deliver, enhance, and accelerate treatment for an array of globally pervasive mental health conditions.

Guided by a team of more than 40 industry-leading creators, game designers, scientists, and medical researchers, DeepWell is creating a slate of DTx-enabled games that represent a new tool to confront the widespread crisis that continues to threaten healthcare systems around the world. 

“The environment of a game jam is the perfect place for exploring and experimenting with new ideas and approaches to problem solving. And as the world’s largest game jam event, the Global Game Jam is thrilled to see our community create games around this critical topic,” said Kate Edwards, Executive Director of the GGJ.

How to Participate

• When: May 1–22, 2022  (Note: The jam officially starts on May 1st, but participants are welcome to join any time after this date.
• What: Create and submit a game with the mental health themes above by May 22, 2022.
• How:   Gather your team and register using this GGJ form. 
• Where: All games created for the DeeWell DTx Mental Health Game Jam will be promoted on the GGJ’s itch.io page for public viewing and play.
• Prizes: TBD

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore this critical theme through games and educate the world about the importance of mental health and wellness. We hope you will join us!