'Gears of War,' the futuristic third-person shooter game owned by Microsoft, announced the 'Never Fight Alone' mental health-focused campaign in collaboration with the 'Crisis Text Line.' The Never Fight Alone tagline has a double meaning, as it references the team-focused gameplay and story of Gears of War, as well as the fact that real-life gamers should not have to tackle mental health issues on their own, hence forming the basis for the partnership with the Crisis Text Line.
With the Never Fight Alone initiative, individuals are able to text 'PAUSE' to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line service. This, in effect, is a way of pausing the game to focus on one's personal health. Additionally, the mental health and suicide prevention line is relevant to the Gears of War franchise as many characters suffer from post-war PTSD and other mental conditions.
Gaming Mental Health Initiatives
Gears of War Partnered with the Crisis Text Line
Trend Themes
1. Gaming-mental Health Integration - Developing partnerships between gaming companies and mental health organizations to promote mental health and wellbeing through gaming.
2. Using Gaming for Mental Health Education - Using video games and gaming communities to educate individuals about mental health and reduce mental health stigmas.
3. Mental Health Resource Integration in Gaming Technology - Integrating mental health resources such as the Crisis Text Line into video game technology to provide players with easy access to mental health services.
Industry Implications
1. Video Game Industry - The video game industry can work with mental health organizations to integrate mental health resources within existing video game technology.
2. Mental Health Industry - The mental health industry can partner with gaming companies to promote mental health education, provide resources, and reduce mental health stigma through video games and their communities.
3. Tech Industry - The tech industry can support the integration of mental health resources within video game technology, and work to develop new technologies and games that promote mental health and emotional wellbeing.