In the seminar, I presented updates on my on-going work with Above Water. Above Water is a game designed to fight the stigma surrounding mental health. The presentation was followed by a long and warm discussion.

Heres the abstract of the paper:

Abstract We present Above Water-a digital/physical hybrid game to inform people about the available strategies to cope with two types of Anxiety Disorders-Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder. The game teaches players about existing treatments. This hybrid game is designed to inspire players to share their experiences and develop their own personal narrative. The document also outlines an assessment strategy to study the game and determine its effectiveness as a game for health. The game is designed to educate non-institutionalized individuals with clinical anxiety and panic disorder. Potential players may be diagnosed, seeking intervention information, or a supportive friend.