Research
We are a research and development lab that aims to establish the scientific foundations for effective mental health games. We empirically validate our games with rigorous research designs, we share our data publicly, and publish our results regardless of outcomes. We are also committed to developing a theoretical framework and new methodologies that stipulate how to use games to experimentally test theories of psychological change.
Design
Our international partners include developmental psychologists, neuroscientists, veteran game developers, and artists whose objective is to harness the power of play to transform children's emotional lives. We co-design game experiences based on empirically validated principles, together with clinicians, parents and children themselves.
Updates Go to Update Overview
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GEMH Lab welcomes new Youth Advisors!
Nastasia Griffioen - 26-06-2023We are excited to welcome into the fold four new Youth Advisors, who will be providing sage counsel for our latest project, Wisper!
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New: Ask GEMH Anything!
Nastasia Griffioen - 27-03-2023We are launching a new video series: Ask GEMH Anything! Send us your burning question about digital tech and wellbeing, and we'll dive into it!
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€3.7 Million awarded for interdisciplinary project on hope and climate change
Hanneke Scholten - 14-03-2023An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, University of Twente (including our GEMH Lab co-director Hanneke Scholten) and the municipality of Amsterdam, have received €3.7 million from the National Growth Fund to explore hope as a social response to climate change.
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Over $1.6 million awarded to GEMH Lab by TWCF
Nastasia Griffioen - 19-05-2022As the Games for Emotional and Mental Health Lab enters a new era of transitions and changes, we are extremely excited to announce that the Templeton World Charity Foundation has awarded us with over $1.6 million to share our knowledge with like-minded individuals!
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Dr. Scholten in All in the Game Podcast 'How games can make you more resilient in life'
GEMH Lab - 08-03-2022GEMH Lab's Dr. Hanneke Scholten was a main guest on the BNR 'All in the Game' podcast to talk about how games can positively influence our daily lives.
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Intergenerational Collaborations for a World Unravelling
Jeanine Jennings - 10-05-2023Listen to Director Isabela Granic speak with Ian McGilchrist in Conversations on Remaking the World about Intergenerational Collaborations for a World Unravelling.
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The Bloombox Retreat
Jeanine Jennings - 01-05-2023GEMH Lab hosted a retreat to gain feedback about the Bloombox’s benefits, limitations, and opportunities for improvement. We introduced the Bloombox and demonstrated the developed methodologies, tools, and practices.
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Meet the Bloombox!
Jeanine Jennings - 28-04-2023The Bloombox is a free and open-access collection of tools to help teams and companies build science-branded, inclusive, and effective projects that promote human flourishing.
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GPT Finetuning Workshops in Copenhagen
Nastasia Griffioen - 19-04-2023Last week, Mirabelle Jones and I organised the latest iteration of our workshop study series, in which we invite Python novices and aficionados to finetune (i.e., create) their own version of GPT-3, based on personal social media posts and messages.
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GEMH's response to Jonathan Haidt's stance on social media and wellbeing
Jeanine Jennings - 28-03-2023Recently, prominent social psychologist Jonathan Haidt posted a piece about social media and teen girls’ mental health. Nastasia has her own thoughts on this, read them here!
Events View all events
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Latest Projects View all projects
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Project Lead Category Project StatusIsabela Granic Resilience Preparation
Bloombox: A Toolkit for Creating Transformative Tech
About the projectCreating digital tech—whether it be videogames or apps—that makes a real impact on human flourishing is hard! Luckily, at the GEMH Lab we have amassed many lessons learned, tips, tricks and caveats over the years of our existence. All of which we aim to bring together in the Bloombox: a toolkit for creating transformative tech.
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Project Lead Category Project StatusNastasia Griffioen Social Media Preparation
Wisper: The Power of Connecting through Voice
About the projectWe are in the midst of a global transition in which digital “screens” are no longer simply entertainment devices and distractions; rather, young people are currently living in a hybrid reality that links digital spaces to offline contexts. It is clear that the current generation of young people is growing up in a digital ecosystem unprecedented in its ubiquity and complexity! With Wisper, we aim to create a space that helps young people connect authentically with others and themselves.
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Project Lead Category Project StatusSuhaavi Kochhar Behavior Regulation Recruitment
HitnRun 2.0: A smartphone game to help youth quit smoking
About the projectWelcome to HitnRun, the innovative mobile game designed to help youths quit smoking by offering guidance, social support, and goal setting. Developed by a team of researchers, game developers, and youths, HitnRun utilizes cutting-edge psychology research to distract from smoking urges, build healthier habits, and focus on a smoke-free future. With daily reminders, just-in-time interventions, and an AI-generated art feature for motivation, HitnRun empowers young individuals to lead healthier, happier lives. Join the community today and take the first step toward a smoke-free future!