Clark University students produce video games that reduce social isolation for people with schizophrenia and psychosis

May 5, 2026 - 21:11

A group of students at Clark University has developed a series of video games aimed at reducing the loneliness often experienced by individuals living with schizophrenia and psychosis. The project, a collaboration with the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance (S&PAA), explored how interactive digital play can build social connections.

The games focus on cooperative tasks and shared goals rather than competition. One title, for example, asks players to work together to solve puzzles in a calm, low-pressure environment. Another game uses simple, repetitive motions to help players regulate their breathing and focus. The students designed the experiences to be accessible, avoiding fast-paced action or loud visuals that might overwhelm users.

The initiative grew out of a course on game design and mental health. Students interviewed people with lived experience of psychosis to understand their daily challenges. They learned that many participants felt cut off from friends and family, not because they lacked desire for connection, but because traditional social settings felt stressful.

The resulting games are not meant to be a cure. Instead, they serve as a bridge. Early feedback from testers suggests that the games help reduce anxiety during social interactions. One participant noted that playing with a partner felt safer than talking face to face, because the game gave them a shared focus.

The students plan to refine the games based on feedback and hope to make them available through community mental health centers. The project highlights a growing recognition that video games, often blamed for isolation, can be redesigned to bring people together.