Unlocking Play: Enhancing Recreational Gaming Opportunities in Inpatient CAMHS Care

Methods

Through surveys, we collected insights on perceptions regarding leisure gaming, enthusiasm for gaming social gatherings, preference for solo gaming, and opinions about the existing gaming amenities in a London inpatient CAMHS unit, from a group of young individuals admitted to the ward.

From this feedback, we obtained funding for a Nintendo Switch from Gaming the Mind Charity and procured a Nintendo Switch for the Unit along with requested games.

Regular group gaming sessions were incorporated into the ward’s activity timetable. Furthermore, arrangements for individual use were also provided.

Additional feedback on the execution was gathered from the young participants.

Results

According to the initial survey responses, most of the young people in the ward expressed that they appreciated gaming and found it to be an enjoyable way to “have fun, unwind or socialize”.

Responses indicated that the current offerings in the ward (consoles and games) were outdated and not frequently utilized.

Nintendo Switch received the highest number of recommendations for the best new addition to the ward.

Suggested games included: Mario Kart 8 deluxe, Wii sports, Splatoon 3, Mario super smash bros, and Minecraft.

After the introduction of social gaming events into the ward’s schedule, subsequent feedback was favorable, indicating that the majority of young people who participated in leisure gaming activities on the ward derived benefits from this. Responses pointed out that it was advantageous in terms of mood enhancement, social interaction, and serving as a distraction from challenging emotions.