Games That Are Perfect for Mental Health Awareness Month

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to take the time to put a highlight on games that would fit the theme. Whether you’re looking to unwind or for a game that will resonate with you, I’ve compiled a selection of titles that you may like.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

I know that Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been out for five years, and was most prevalent during lockdown; however, I think that there’s still some merit to playing New Horizons to unwind. In the past, I couldn’t quite get into it, but if you want to just chill out, catch some fish and bugs, and do gardening, it can do wonders for stress relief.

Just… try not to compare your island to the photos of others online. Instead, if you feel like decorating, consider the Happy Home Paradise DLC. That way, you don’t have to worry about bells, and you can focus on making a house fit a specific villager. It’s a great way to switch your brain off and just focus on the moment.

Night in the Woods

Night in the Woods is one of my favourite games of all time, and while it’s not what anyone could call a cosy game, it’s one that did resonate with me. If you’ve ever struggled with depression, then Mae’s story is pretty relatable. At the time of playing it for the first time, I had come back from university during lockdown, and it felt like the world was ending.

However, Mae’s struggle to both reconnect with her friends, as well as contending with a world that doesn’t take her seriously when there are literally people getting murdered, is one that highlights Mae’s own aforementioned anger issues, and her struggles with dissociation and depression.

Spiritfarer

I’m beginning to think that starting with Animal Crossing was misleading, as you all probably were hoping for a selection of games that would help raise awareness. However, instead, I’m throwing Spiritfarer at you. If you’re familiar with this title you’ll know that it’s all about letting go and moving on — quite literally.

If you struggle with depression and grief, Spiritfarer could be a way for you to come to terms and provide a pretty cathartic release. Or you’ll feel more depressed. But hey, the mini-games are fun, and while you’ll be sad, you’ll be glad for the experience. Maybe.

Stardew Valley

Look! It’s Stardew Valley, a game that is said to be relaxing, but I know for a fact it’s not. But, I am aware that it provides a structure that is great for people who want to have a routine to follow in their games. Plus, the characters all have different struggles and issues, highlighting things like Shane’s depression and Sam’s father’s struggles with PTSD following his return from the battlefield.

Either way, Stardew Valley provides both depth to its characters, as well as providing a form of escapism to those who would much rather live on a farm.

Persona (4 and 5)

Truthfully, the entire Persona series could fit in here, and while I’ve mostly played Persona 5, I know enough about Persona 4 Golden to add it to the list. Considering the Persona games follow a specific premise, where each character needs to discover their inner self to unleash their powers for the first time, it felt fitting for this list.

For example, Persona 5 explores issues of depression, isolation, suicide, and overall trauma. The same can also be said of the other games, where Persona 4 has characters struggling with their societal expectations.

Psychonauts

Now, when talking to my colleagues at GameGrin about different games that would be a good fit for this article, the 2005 game, Psychonauts, popped up. In this title, you play as Raz, a psychonaut in training who uncovers a sinister plot at his camp. As a psychonaut, he has psychic abilities, allowing him to go into the minds of others, and so he needs to use these powers to help them overcome their fears and memories in order to progress.

Overall, it’s described as a simple and fun platformer, but it deals with some pretty heavy themes. If you’re feeling lost, then Psychonauts could be a good shout for you!

Cozy Grove

Under the same umbrella as Animal Crossing, Cozy Grove is a game that regularly pops up in comparisons, and was also recommended to me! In the game, you play as a witch who is trying to comfort the local ghosts. Optimised for real-time play, it’s best to jump on this for around one or two hours a day.

With a focus on bringing joy back to the colourless world around you, Cozy Grove allows you to take a step back and unwind as you explore the hidden secrets that will bring comfort to your ghostly neighbours. So, if you’re looking for something like Animal Crossing, but not Animal Crossing, this could be a good shout!

Silent Hill 2

Following a darker theme, and a game that I have mostly seen on playthroughs and such, because I am a coward, is Silent Hill 2 (2001). As another recommendation from my colleague, you can’t ignore that this game is a brilliant exploration of mental health. As James Sunderland travels to the titular town following a letter from his late wife, he spends the game questioning his sanity and struggling with guilt and depression.

Considering Mary’s terminal illness prior to the events of the game, and James’s struggles with everything that happened, it shows an interesting take on what grief can do to people. Admittedly, I don’t want to go into too much detail here, as no one wants to go into spoiler territory, but if you don’t mind horror, then consider Silent Hill 2 (or, the remade Silent Hill 2 (2024)).

As I don’t want to endure the horrors of Pyramid Head, I will, personally, continue to enjoy it from a distance.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Now, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is an interesting one following my colleague’s recommendation. So, I decided to check it out. In this title, we return to Helheim through Senua’s eyes, as she embarks on a haunting vision quest to reunite with her dead lover.

Considering the overall theme of grief here, it tackles a story that has been told in mythology on numerous occasions. But, what makes Senua’s Sacrifice stand out is that it was created in collaboration with neuroscientists and those who’ve experienced psychosis. So, it’s a hell of an interesting game, and one that I recommend you check out if you’re interested.

Kind Words

As our last personal recommendation, I’d like to include Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to), as also recommended by my colleague. In this game, you’re tasked with writing kind letters to real people, and with its lo-fi soundtrack and cosy atmosphere, I’ve immediately added it to my own wishlist.

From the standpoint of someone who’s struggled with depression since my teenage years, this is a game that I’m glad to have been recommended. As Kind Words and its sequel, Kind Words 2 (lofi city pop), are both supported by the developers, you can put out a request in an anonymous form where you can ask for sympathy, comfort, or advice. Other players will respond in a kind manner, and it’s all about lifting people up.

Other Types of Games That Are Great for Mental Health

Now, there are a lot of games that are designed to help people relax and unwind, or raise awareness. So, I’m just going to put a quick shout-out to specific genres here that could be great for you.

In our chats at GameGrin, we’ve found that Nonograms and Picross-style games are a great way to lose yourself for a while when you need to de-stress. As there are so many in this style, it’s hard to include specific ones, but they’re particularly prevalent on mobile phones, and could be good for anyone who doesn’t have access to a console, but is still feeling particularly overwhelmed.

Another great example is rhythm games. When it comes to examples of the genre with an upbeat-beat, it’s hard not to lose yourself in the music. One in particular that I was recommended by a colleague was Rhythm Sprout: Sick Beats & Bad Sweets, but another great series that I would also recommend is Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, or any other Taiko no Tatsujin game, as there are so many great songs – and they're cute too!

Are there any games that you’d recommend when it comes to mental health awareness? Any titles that stand out, or are there other games that you’ve played that helped in a dark time. Why not add some recommendations of your own in the comments below?