Free virtual card game encourages discussions about mental health

Key takeaways:

• A new game from the National Alliance on Mental Illness will encourage important conversations between young people.
• The free virtual card game touches on topics such as mental health and relationships.

A virtual game from the National Alliance on Mental Illness will prompt young people to talk about life, relationships and their mental health, according to a press release.

“We know that half of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14 but typically goes undiagnosed for many years,” Daniel H. Gillison Jr., CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), said in the release. “Honest and direct conversations are the first step in getting help for those who need it.”

The free card game, Say It Out Loud, has a Whisper It deck, a Say It deck, a Shout It deck and a Mix It deck that include questions of varying intensities, such as “What makes you cringe?” and “What’s your biggest fear?” There are also wild cards and “wellness cards” that provide breaks in the game, such as complimenting another player or stretching, according to the release.

According to the release, the game is available for free at siol.nami.org, and is best played on a mobile device.

“It’s hard to overstate the power of conversation in supporting and destigmatizing mental health, especially for young people,” Gillison said in the release. “We hope NAMI Say It Out Loud will spark meaningful discussions, providing a safe and casual space for youths to open up and learn from each other’s unique, diverse experiences and perspectives.”