RCP's 'Gaming the Mind' Conference 2025

Gaming the Mind is a dedicated charity to exploring the connection between mental health and the gaming community.

The Gaming the Mind Conference 2025 brings together experts to explore the fascinating connection between video games and mental health!

When: Monday 29th September 09:30-16:00

Where: Royal College of Psychiatrists, 21 Prescot Street, Tower Hill, London E1 8BB

Book by 1st September to take advantage of early bird rates!

This thought-provoking day will feature a dynamic mix of talks and panel discussions led by experts in the fields of mental health, law, and game development.

Together, we will delve into:

– Evidence for the positive impact of games

– Problematic play, including issues such as gambling mechanics and addiction

– The future of games and the potential for collaboration between the fields of interactive entertainment and healthcare

Speakers include:

Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones OBE DL: medical doctor and neuroscience researcher working as a consultant psychiatrist in addictions. Founder and Director of the National Centre for Gaming Disorders, the first NHS clinic in the UK dedicated to treating Gaming Disorder.

Professor Paul Fletcher: psychiatrist and Bernard Wolfe Professor of Health Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge. Collaborated with developers Ninja Theory on the Hellblade video game series, which has been lauded for its representation of a main character who experiences psychosis.

Elin Festøy: research fellow at The Norwegian Film School. Creative producer behind the BAFTA-winning game My Child Lebensborn , about the challenges facing children in a hostile and abusive society. The game was praised for its portrayal of the effects of emotional trauma.

Dr Stone Hsieh: Senior Lecturer in Biological Psychology. Director of ActiGamer research at BREAD Lab, looking into the effects of physical activity on cognition and ADHD symptoms in children, using video games to encourage exercise.

Dr Leon Xiao: Researcher in video game law, focusing on random-reward mechanics and their regulation, and advises on global policymaking in this area.

Dr David Zendle: Senior Lecturer in psychology, focusing on impacts of technology on society, in particuar looking at impacts of random-reward mechanics in video games, and advising on policymaking in this area.

Dr Andrew Howe: consultant psychiatrist and psychodynamic therapist, with academic interest in Jungian theory. Clinically he has explored the therapeutic power of myths derived from the Legend of Zelda video game series.

Dr Victoria McCloud: former judge and chartered psychologist who now works primarily as a litigation strategist with a wealth of experience across civil and commercial law.

Whether you’re a clinician, developer, academic, or simply curious about the connection between gaming and mental health, this event is for you!