Bridging Gaming and Mental Health

Gaming is more than just entertainment, it’s a global community with its own challenges. Many gamers struggle with mental health, yet few resources are tailored to their needs. Recognizing this gap, Cooldown Counseling was created to connect gamers with mental health professionals, offering a seamless and accessible platform for support.

With the growing demand for mental health services and the unique needs of the gaming community, Cooldown Counseling set out to create a user-friendly, stigma-free experience that encourages engagement and trust.

As the Lead Designer, I played a key role in developing the platform, shaping its UX/UI, branding, and service model to ensure accessibility, ease of use, and meaningful impact.

Challenges & Goals

• Design an intuitive platform to connect gamers with mental health professionals.

• Overcome stigma by creating a welcoming and familiar digital experience.

• Ensure accessibility and ease of use for both gamers and therapists.

• Increase engagement and conversion through gamification and strategic design.

Design Approach

User Research: Conducted in-depth interviews and surveys to understand gaming culture and mental health needs.
User Flows: Simplified onboarding and matchmaking to lower barriers to entry.
Design System: Developed a cohesive, accessible interface with familiar gaming elements.

Results & Impact

• 3x increase in therapy sign-ups through an intuitive booking system.

• 70% of first-time users engaged in multiple sessions.

• Successfully connected gamers with licensed therapists, leading to sustained mental health improvements.

Conclusion

Cooldown Counseling effectively bridges the gap between gaming and mental health, providing a much-needed, stigma-free space for support. Through user-centered design and strategic research, we created a platform that empowers gamers to prioritize their mental well-being, making professional help more accessible than ever.