DEVELOPMENT OF AN EDUCATIONAL VIDEO GAME TO REDUCE NEGATIVE STIGMA TOWARDS UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WITH DEPRESSIVE TENDENCIES

• Main Author: Abimanyu Anwar, Hasbullah
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/80804
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

WHO has recognized the human rights related to mental health through Mental Health Legislation. However, disorders such as depression and other mental health issues remain common among students, especially in Indonesia. One prevalent mental health issue among students is depression, which can significantly impact normal individual functioning. Stigma surrounding depression, whether from the environment or self-imposed, often acts as a barrier to seeking professional help. One of the current best solutions is through intervention and education to change attitudes and foster a positive outlook on mental health disorders. Currently, education methods related to mental health face challenges of adaptability and a lack of implementation of essential communication skills. The approach through educational games has proven effective in reducing negative stigma towards mental illnesses. However, there are currently no educational games that meet the desired criteria. Therefore, this research develops an adventure game focusing on the stigma associated with depression that meets specific criteria, such as a narrative that reduces stigma, a university background to create an immersive experience, and interactive elements to enhance understanding. The designed game has been tested for its functionality and ability to convey necessary educational information to students. It received an average score of 6.19 in the satisfaction and user experience testing and an average score of 6.3 in the testing of the quality of the learning experience on a scale with a maximum value of 7. Using the Depression Stigma Scale and Self-Stigma of Depression Scale, and employing repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-test for data analysis, the game has also been tested for its effectiveness in reducing negative stigma among students by comparing it with conventional education methods, such as using a presentation in this research.