An innovative new campaign and smartphone app focused on building wellbeing and resilience encourages Australians to use their phones for the betterment of their own mental health. MindMax combines the power of sport, videogames and wellbeing science to start conversations and shift attitudes and behaviours.
With 85 per cent of Australian gamers reporting that videogames help to reduce their stress levels and more than half (54%) of frequent videogame players feeling connected with friends as a result of playing, there is an opportunity to harness the power and size of the videogame audience for positive health and wellbeing benefits.
MindMax launched earlier this year and recently added another game to its fold, just in time for the AFL Grand Final. “Flick Footy”, aside from being fun to play, helps users build, strengthen and maintain a healthy and fit mind. The games within MindMax draw on research that highlights the wellbeing and social benefits of playing games.
MindMax is funded by the Movember Foundation and developed by AFL Players’ Association in partnership with Queensland University of Technology’s Games Research Lab. The app combines the personal experience of elite AFL players alongside bite-sized training sessions, videogames and social interaction to help users build, strengthen and maintain healthy and fit minds.
With three million Australians currently living with depression or anxiety, MindMax is designed for use by everyone but motivated by problems more prevalent in men.
As men don’t typically take action when it comes to their health, MindMax addresses the need for a contemporary and evidence-based approach to build healthy and resilient minds.
Professor Daniel Johnson from the Queensland University of Technology said MindMax has the potential to change the way people view their wellbeing and mental fitness, as they work to proactively build a fit mind, and are able to thrive, not just survive.
“Our research has found that AFL players use games as one way to de-stress, connect and build wellbeing. We also know that around 11 million men and boys are interested in the lives of AFL players4, which is where the idea for MindMax came from,” said Johnson.
“AFL players have been involved with MindMax from the beginning and they will continue to be a part of the community moving forward, providing insights into how they have developed fit minds themselves and interacting with other MindMax users,” he added.
Paul Villanti, the Movember Foundation’s Executive Director of Programs, said MindMax demonstrates the importance of having a fit mind, not just a fit body, to handle the challenges and opportunities life often throws our way.
“This app supports individuals to take steps to build their own mental fitness. It’s thanks to funds raised by the Movember community we’re able to change the way we think about mental health and wellbeing,” said Villanti.
For more information on MindMax visit mindmax.com.au or download the app for free from your phones’ app store.
