Ector Flores-Garcia

Digital Games: A Creative Approach to Decreasing Suicidal Ideation in Young Adults

Mentor: Christian Thomas

I aim to develop a digital game that would attempt to raise hope for young adults with suicidal impulses, especially those in the Latinx culture, where the issue is highly stigmatized and rarely discussed. While this topic continues to be difficult to discuss, presenting it through a creative lens could be effective in providing comfort to those who deal with suicidal ideation. Even more, it could develop social connections and support networks for people interested in helping someone close to them with suicidal thoughts. I will incorporate evidence-based design principles to properly represent the situations that create suicidal ideation in teens and young adults. This will be a mental health game that has the power not only to engage but to change behavior. It will not act as a replacement for therapy or treatment from trained professionals, but as a supplement to these interventions. I hope this digital game creates a deeper awareness and understanding of how challenging it is to live with suicidal ideation and suggests ways to deal with it.