Game for Change

Roommate Game

I am an RA in on-campus-housing, and decided to do my game on something that is quite prevalent in our day to day life. Mental health issues, specifically self harm, is something that happens more frequently in college students than many people are aware of. As RAs we are trained on how to handle the situations, and how to get residents the help they need with any mental or physical health issue they may have. Roommates, however, are often hesitant to communicate about these issues, and are even more reluctant to talk to their RA about these issues. Frequently there are girls on my own floor reluctant to talk to me about issues for fear of being judged or facing consequences. When it comes to mental health, they talk about transparency and removing the stigma as some of the best ways to combat these issues and help others find the help they need. That is the reason I chose to make this game, as a way to bring up the issue, and help those in on campus housing be aware of their resources. While I realize this is a complicated matter, that is grossly oversimplified in this game, it begins the conversation. This would help others realize that it is something in which they are not alone, as well.

In my own classroom, I might not use this particular game, but there are many ways in which there are discussions that are difficult to have that could be addressed first through this platform. From difficult to address on stage content to personal interactions with a text, giving students a platform through which they can address these concerns, and bring them to light would be beneficial and necessary.


http://time.com/4473575/college-mental-health-guidebook/
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/06/self-injury-prevalent-among-college-students-survey-shows
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/education/edlife/25roommate-t.html