SPARKI: Mental Health Board Game Project
Project Overview
The SPARKI (Social and Playful Approach to Resiliency and Knowledge Improvement) project is a pioneering initiative that utilizes board games as a therapeutic and educational tool. Designed to engage adolescents in meaningful conversations about mental health, the game provides a safe, low-stakes environment to build resilience and emotional intelligence through interactive play.
Study Objectives
The primary objectives of the SPARKI study are to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of board-game-based interventions in diverse educational settings. We aim to measure the impact of gameplay on mental health literacy, stigma reduction, and the help-seeking behaviors of participants, providing a data-driven foundation for larger scale emotional wellness programs.
Why SPARKI in Tanzania?
In Tanzania, young people face significant mental health challenges exacerbated by social stigma and limited access to traditional psychiatric services. SPARKI offers a culturally adaptable and accessible entry point for mental health education. By integrating local narratives and social dynamics into game mechanics, we bridge the gap between innovation and community-based health solutions.
Study Timeline
Our study is structured across three key phases: Initial Game Design and Cultural Adaptation (Months 1-4), Pilot Implementation and Field Testing across selected schools in Tanzania (Months 5-10), and comprehensive Data Analysis and Reporting (Months 11-12). This phased approach ensures that feedback from the community directly informs the final iteration of the SPARKI project.
Study Team
The SPARKI project is led by a multidisciplinary team of experts, including clinical psychologists, professional game designers, and public health researchers from Predon. We collaborate closely with local Tanzanian educators and student focus groups to ensure the project meets the highest standards of clinical precision and user engagement.