Betwixt–The Mental Health Game 17+

As a videogame researcher working on a project that explores the therapeutic potential of digital play for young people who have experienced childhood trauma, I have spent a lot of time surveying and cataloguing ‘mental health apps’. ‘Betwixt’ is the first one I’ve felt compelled to review. More so than any other app in my database, Betwixt successfully creates a ‘brave space’ (cf a safe space) in which the user can be emotionally vulnerable and intellectually honest. This is achieved through the creation of a sustained fictional world and the effective use of the aesthetic affordances of smart phones. The overarching fiction integrates the features common to most apps in the space (journal, inspirational quotes, chat bot, meditation library) in a way that actually feels wholistic and consistent. Unlike other apps that feel ‘instrumentalised’ or ‘medicalised’ beyond the point that they can be considered a playful experience, Betwixt does not sacrifice form for function. The writing is excellent, the soundscapes are beautiful, and the interface is simple but beautifully designed.

I am a trans autistic person who finds it difficult to talk to people about my emotions, experiences and feelings in life. I got recommended this game from someone special in my life, he said it helped him find himself and learn new things about how he deals with certain situations, how he thinks etc.. and it might help me ! So I tried it… and wow ! I’ve never enjoyed or engaged in a mobile game so much as I have with Betwixed. It’s way of allowing you to create your own realm and allowing you to open up at your own pace is so refreshing. I just unlocked the rest of the stories within the game and I am so excited to continue my story :) if you struggle to communicate, are confused with yourself and your emotions, please try this. I am so thankful to the person that recommended it . 🩵

I stumbled across this and I’m so grateful I did, I’ve tried so many different apps over the years and this has got to be the most helpful and successful one yet! I’ve been using it now for almost 3 weeks and it’s really helped me to recognise the way I see things and how to readjust my thinking to see things from a different perspective. Of course it’s going to take time for it to become the normal way of my brains processing and thinking but I know I’m already recognising a thought pattern and that’s thanks to Betwixt!
The support team have been amazing too when it came to upgrading my account, I honestly can’t thank them enough. I now have a little more hope that gets me through the tough days.
Thank you to everyone at Betwixt! xxx