Following the success of the inaugural Games Mental Health Summit in 2023, video games mental health charity Safe In Our World and arts charity BAFTA are partnering again to host the 2024 Games Mental Health Summit at BAFTA’s London HQ on June 3rd, 2024.
Safe In Our World is a registered charity in England and Wales. A team of seasoned gaming veterans passionate about mental health brainstormed for over two years over ways they could make a difference. Launched on World Mental Health Day on October 10th, 2019, its aims are to raise awareness of mental health within the video games industry and to provide resources, signpost help, and drive change for everyone connected with the industry.
BAFTA is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games, and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally.
The Games Mental Health Summit will bring together games industry professionals and mental health clinicians to explore how we can create a safer industry for everyone. This year’s summit will focus specifically on driving change and will feature a mix of keynotes, panels, workshops, and roundtables. The talks will aim to address various topics and challenges that we face in the games industry, including compassionate leadership, burnout, toxicity, and harassment, and how to enact change in the workplace.
Speakers will be announced on the Safe In Our World and BAFTA social media channels in the lead-up to the event.
“In a year that has been difficult for many in the industry, the need for positive change on mental health awareness has never been greater,” says Luke Hebblethwaite, Head of Games at BAFTA. “We are proud to announce the return of our Games Mental Health Summit in collaboration with Safe In Our World. With the combined strength and great work of both charities, we want to continue to drive forward conversation and tangible action in our industry on mental health. Whether at a personal or corporate level, there’s still much for us all to learn, and there’s never been a better time to get started than now.”
Sarah Sorrell, Charity Director at Safe In Our World, also explains the importance of events like these for the games industry. “Having a focus on how we can drive change within the industry whilst prioritizing mental health is fundamental to fostering a healthier and more sustainable industry in the future. The challenges we’ll be addressing in this summit will allow an open discussion for sharing knowledge and promoting collaboration in the face of adversity.”
To ensure that this knowledge is available to those unable to physically attend the event at 195 Piccadilly, Keynote talks and Panels will be recorded and broadcast on the BAFTA YouTube channel after the event.
The full list of speakers will be announced within the next two weeks, and tickets can be purchased here for £15.00 / £12.00 concessions.