Games to Play During Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. It just so happens that being aware of and de-stigmatizing Mental Health is one of the things Phenixx Gaming was built upon. Because of that, we’d like to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month by detailing a list of games that either involve mental health directly or are good for self-care. Feel free to suggest others in the comments or on Twitter as well! First, let’s start with games directly involving mental health or mental illness.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

I think everyone by now has heard of the story of Hellblade. Senua is a woman who grapples with the loss of her beloved and is trying to find a way to bring him back. Developers have said that her story mirrors her struggles with psychosis. They worked with mental health specialists and people afflicted with various mental illnesses during the development. Hellblade is available on all major platforms and a sequel is in development.

Before I Forget

I recently got a chance to play Before I Forget on Switch, and the BAFTA-Nominated game is definitely a perfect choice for this list. Detailing a heartfelt story that involves Dementia and Alzheimer’s, it masterfully builds an emotional experience that can stick with you long after you stop playing. Check out the full review here, though I highly recommend playing it for yourself on PC, Switch, or Xbox One.

Gris

Now I haven’t played Gris myself, but this colorful puzzle-platformer revolves entirely around a girl recovering from a painful experience. It deals with loss, depression, and many things that we all can relate to in the times we’re living in. Gris is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4.

Celeste

Created by Maddy Thorson out of her own experiences with Anxiety and Depression, Celeste is a renowned platformer that tackles these issues head-on. Climbing Celeste Mountain, Madeline is confronted by a manifestation of her anxiety and fear. Madeline’s journey is also incredibly accessible, so even gamers with various disabilities can enjoy the game. Celeste is available on all major platforms.

Now let’s dig into some games that are great options for relaxation. These games might not be directly related to mental health, but are relaxing and calm or aren’t mentally taxing.

Stardew Valley

I’m terrible at time management. However, there is something about Stardew Valley that is ridiculously relaxing. If you’re playing on PC, there are a variety of mods that can help with time management issues. On top of that, you can play in multiplayer or just take your time and play at your own pace. Just trading the stress of the day for life on a farm is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the perfect game to get many of us through the worst of the pandemic last year. Even now, it is a perfectly relaxing game to just get into and play. Some like setting goals for themselves and setting a routine every day. Other people just play on holidays, though there are rumors about a big update coming soon that might drawback plenty of players.

New Pokemon Snap

It hasn’t been out very long and we don’t have a review for it up on the site yet, but New Pokemon Snap is the perfect sort of game for self-care if you’re a Pokemon fan. The lush environments, beautiful scenery, and cute Pokemon interactions make for a great experience. It is especially helpful if you’re feeling a bit of cabin fever but can’t go outside or enjoy the outdoors. New Pokemon Snap captures the same chill vibes as Animal Crossing but more in a safari context.

Audiosurf/Audiosurf 2

If music is your method of self-care, then Audiosurf (or its sequel) is perfect for your self-care needs. Turn your music library into a series of rhythm game levels, improve your high scores, and just lose yourself in the repetition of grooving to your favorite tunes! Both games have Steam Workshop support to enhance your experience as well.

There you have it, folks! We’ve barely scratched the surface of games you could enjoy this month. Let us know which ones we’ve missed or which games are your favorites! Also, know that if you are struggling with your mental health there are resources available to you. Below is the number for a suicide prevention hotline that you can reach out to if you are struggling.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255