{"id":29847,"date":"2026-10-01T16:17:50","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T20:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/?post_type=story&#038;p=29847"},"modified":"2026-10-01T18:03:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T22:03:00","slug":"game-design-event-sparks-creative-approaches-to-understanding-serious-mental-illness","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/01\/game-design-event-sparks-creative-approaches-to-understanding-serious-mental-illness\/","title":{"rendered":"Game-design event sparks creative approaches to understanding serious mental illness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-intro has-large-font-size\">Jamathon promotes empathy and awareness for those living with schizophrenia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>A nor\u2019easter howled outside, the sun hadn\u2019t shone all weekend, and the start of the school\/work week seemed forever away. It was a perfect Sunday night to watch a movie in your favorite hoodie with a bowl of microwave popcorn balanced on your lap.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the people gathered inside Clark\u2019s Center for Media Arts, Computing, and Design this past Sunday had far more ambitious intentions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-80-1024x683.avif\" alt=\"Students work around a computer\" class=\"wp-image-29854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-80-1024x683.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-80-300x200.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-80-768x512.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-80-1536x1024.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-80-1200x800.avif 1200w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-80.avif 1732w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the course of two days, Clark students, outside game designers, developers, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, mentors, and people living with mental illness collaborated to introduce game concepts and digital tools that address real-world challenges faced by those who navigate life with psychosis and schizophrenia spectrum disorders.&nbsp;On Sunday night, to applause and cheers from members of the 20 teams who had converged on the Center to create video, computer, board, and card games, the winners of the first-ever Games Matter! Jamathon were announced.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe winning games were exceptional,\u201d said Paul Cotnoir, dean of the Becker School of Design &amp; Technology, \u201cbut the quality of work across the Jamathon was remarkable. What stood out most was the compassion and understanding the participants brought to their work. The involvement of mentors and people with lived experience showed just how important genuine collaboration is when designing games for mental health. For our students, the Jamathon offered a kind of learning that went well beyond what is possible in a traditional classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-lighter-green-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-jamathon-winners\">JAMATHON WINNERS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-track-1-games-that-foster-social-connection-and-community\" style=\"font-size:1.3rem\">Track 1: Games that foster social connection and community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-self-bear-hobby-horse\" style=\"font-size:1.13rem\"><strong>Self-Bear\/Hobby Horse<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"margin-top:0.75rem;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Lily Valentine-Hetzel &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preston Chandler, MFA &#8217;27<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evelyn Zeman &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Luke Stump &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kaia Sleeper-Spady &#8217;28<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-leaping-forward-nor-easter-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp\" style=\"font-size:1.13rem;line-height:1.1\"><strong>Leaping Forward\/Nor&#8217;easter&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chris Michelotti&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alex Tozian&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Madelyn Clack, MFA &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alex Berger&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delaney Morton<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:1.13rem\"><strong>Cluisine\/Coffee Chat Productions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"margin-top:0.5rem;margin-bottom:0.5rem\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-body-font-family has-small-font-size\">Chris Kuntz &#8217;27<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lucian Terhorst &#8217;27<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Matt Zaluski &#8217;26<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tyler Lee &#8217;27<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maxwell DeRienze &#8217;27<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-track-2-games-that-build-empathy-and-understanding\" style=\"font-size:1.3rem\">Track 2: Games that build empathy and understanding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-barriers-the-jamsters\" style=\"font-size:1.2rem\"><strong>Barriers\/The Jamsters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Max Allen&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emmanuel Mallea&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bashar Alqassar&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">Dan Lu&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Claire Mayfield&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tate Donnelly&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-deep-cleaning-innoculi-of-syn-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp\" style=\"font-size:1.13rem\"><strong>Deep Cleaning\/Innoculi <\/strong><br><strong>Of Syn&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nicolas Fasano &#8217;27<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gracien Healy &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Elisa Cameron &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Asher Rosenfeld &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jason King, MFA &#8217;27<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Angel Lekhang &#8217;28<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-sunny-day-cafe-peak-joy-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp\" style=\"font-size:1.13rem\"><strong>Sunny Day Caf\u00e9\/Peak Joy&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sammi&nbsp;Bosque&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Liam Wang<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jason Ugles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-games-that-teach-real-skills-through-play\" style=\"font-size:1.3rem\">Games That Teach Real Skills Through Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-floruit-tanks\" style=\"font-size:1.2rem\"><strong>Floruit\/Tanks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tofe Akinyanmi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jen Tang<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-cliques-beyond-the-apocalypse-ampersand-studios-nbsp\" style=\"font-size:1.2rem\"><strong>Cliques Beyond The Apocalypse\/Ampersand Studios&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Evan Hilla &#8217;27<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mason&nbsp;Brown, MFA &#8217;26<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jack Korcuska, MFA &#8217;28<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-are-you-sure-times-new-roma-n\" style=\"font-size:1.2rem\"><strong>Are You Sure\/Times New Roma<\/strong>n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Amanda Keith &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thalia Shanahan &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Abbie Mylet &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mali Flint &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yusef Syed &#8217;28<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sofia Gamba &#8217;28<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-track-4-brain-bytes-gamifying-everyday-choices-nbsp-nbsp\" style=\"font-size:1.3rem\">Track 4 &#8211; Brain Bytes: Gamifying Everyday Choices&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-better-ques-t\" style=\"font-size:1.2rem\"><strong>Better Ques<\/strong>t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Brien Rondeau, MFA\u2019 25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Max Miller, May &#8217;27<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ben Clingen, MFA \u201925&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-you-ll-b-ouquet-rainbow-milk-crusade\" style=\"font-size:1.2rem\"><strong><strong>You&#8217;ll B-Ouquet\/ Rainbow Milk Crusade<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gabbi Hebert<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Timm Adams&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Andre Mata Assis&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Luca Pasquini&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>James Prendergast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deven Bullard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-\"><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>No one was keener to see the Jamathon\u2019s success than Gary Labovich \u201981. The Clark alum and former trustee had spoken to the participants at Saturday morning\u2019s Jamathon launch, telling them about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/2026\/09\/03\/games-designed-at-clark-will-open-pathways-for-those-living-with-schizophrenia\/\">his experience as the parent of a child with schizophrenia<\/a>&nbsp;and expressing his hopes that the creative power of the participants could be marshaled for this worthwhile endeavor. Labovich is a board member of the Schizophrenia &amp; Psychosis Action Alliance, which is partnering with the Becker School to&nbsp;develop games that can help reduce loneliness, strengthen social connection, build empathy, and teach practical skills that support recovery.&nbsp;With a significant gift he is funding ongoing academic collaborations between Clark and S&amp;PAA, including the Jamathon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The Jamathon exceeded every expectation I had for the event,\u201d Labovich said afterward. \u201cThe collaboration among the students, mentors, and those with lived experience was inspiring, creating a design environment that produced compelling and immediate results. I have given many gifts to Clark over the years but none more meaningful than this one. Not only did S&amp;PAA benefit from the outcomes, but so did our students. I am committed to underwriting this event again next year.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-87.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29853\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-87.avif 800w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-87-300x200.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-87-768x512.avif 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Jamathon designers homed in on one of four distinct tracks: Games that Foster Social Connection and Community; Games that Build Empathy and Understanding; Games that Teach Real Skills Through Play; and Brain Bytes: Gamifying Everyday Choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the game showcase on Sunday night, the teams presented their games to the judges, led by Professor Terrasa Ulm, who proceeded from station to station for demonstrations. The teams were competing for&nbsp;more than $15,000 in prizes provided by the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance, Metabolic Mind (RoBlox), Labovich, and other sponsors. Cotnoir cited the efforts of Alex Supron &#8217;25, MFA &#8217;26, and Brien Rondeau, MFA \u201925, as well as the students of GAME 125FYI Co-Designing Worlds: Games, Communities, and Societal Impact, as contributing to the event\u2019s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Worcester resident and game developer Chris Michelotti described his team\u2019s game, Leaping Forward, as the equivalent of an escape room, with clues and tasks that allow the player to complete daily activities. He noted that the game was designed in consultation with someone who lives with mental illness. \u201cIt\u2019s about listening, empathizing, and partnering,\u201d Michelotti said. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing the level of support that\u2019s out there when we learn together as a community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The student team that designed The Great Medieval Bake-off devised a scenario in which the main character builds social connections and routines to differentiate the real from the unreal. The game offers insights into how isolation can affect a person and the strategies needed to navigate uncertainty. Team members were&nbsp;Alina Afaque, Dominic Lencioni, Eidyn Riggs, Juniper Murdock, and lead programmer John Landa &#8217;30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Better Together presented a scenario of two people needing to accomplish a series of tasks over the course of a weekend that encourage organizational thinking, time management, and cooperation. Teammates Mateo Figueroa \u201929, Timothy Morelli \u201929, Sophia De Kruyff \u201929, and Pamela Assou \u201927 created the game as time-flexible, and with built-in resting periods to foster a non-stressful environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another game, Better Quest, was designed by Clark alums Max Miller \u201926, MFA \u201927, Rondeau, and Ben Clingen, MFA \u201925, who have formed their own company, Red Rabbit Games. The trio designed their game around the concept of defeating a monster by completing particular tasks that build focus, promote well-being, and encourage socialization, Miller said. \u201cIt could be something as simple as talking to a friend, or going to an event,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-99-1024x683.avif\" alt=\"Students applauding\" class=\"wp-image-29855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-99-1024x683.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-99-300x200.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-99-768x512.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-99-1536x1024.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-99-1200x800.avif 1200w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-99.avif 1981w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Maxwell DeRienze \u201927, whose team developed a physical charades-style game called Cluisine, the Jamathon provided a forum that was intense and grueling \u2014 as \u201chackathons\u201d typically are \u2014 but which also set a hopeful tone for those living with serious mental illness. He noted that the Becker School\u2019s Games for Good conference last year solidified Clark\u2019s commitment to the development of \u201cserious\u201d games, which serve a socially relevant purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat I enjoyed the most about participating in the Jamathon was that a lot of care went into the planning and execution with the co-leading organization S&amp;PAA, which was heavily involved in every step. It created a nice community-building experience,\u201d DeRienze said. \u201cIt\u2019s good to see the department put a lot of effort into an extra-curricular resource for game design students, especially in a context not limited games as enjoyment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs my team worked out the concept of our game, we received tons of advice and direction from the mentors at the event,\u201d said Asher Rosenfeld \u201928. \u201cThese mentors were incredibly kind and supportive, and eager to both share their personal experiences with us and learn more about the game-development process. My team learned a great deal about what life is really like for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis, and bonded with people who have lived with these conditions. It was an eye-opening experience.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jim Cicero \u201978 moved between the teams asking questions \u2026 and answering just as many. Cicero is the parent of a son who lives with schizophrenia, a former scholarship athlete who has long been unable to hold a job or live on his own. The Clark alum attended the Jamathon predominantly because of his affiliation with S&amp;PAA, where he volunteers by running a group for caregivers. His input was personal and invaluable as the games took shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cicero\u2019s story is not uncommon from those of other parents in his group. \u201cYou do a lot of self-education [about schizophrenia],\u201d he says. \u201cThere is a sense of community in the group, and much of it comes from the grief we are feeling. They call it ambiguous loss, and it\u2019s real.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-55-1024x683.avif\" alt=\"Peopple walking up stairs in front of Jamathon sign\" class=\"wp-image-29856\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-55-1024x683.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-55-300x200.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-55-768x512.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-55-1200x800.avif 1200w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/Jamathon_Sept_2026-55.avif 1524w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In her introduction to the event on Saturday morning, Krissa Rouse, S&amp;PAA\u2019s director of programs and community engagement, noted that a goal of the Jamathon was to bring awareness and understanding to a condition that is \u201cfeared, misunderstood, and even demonized.\u201d On Sunday evening, she addressed all the participants: game designers, judges, mentors, caregivers, and those living with schizophrenia who gave first-hand accounts of their experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rouse said she was deeply moved by what she\u2019d witnessed throughout the weekend. \u201cI heard you all talking about schizophrenia and psychosis, and what I heard was kind, compassionate, and meaningful. It\u2019s overwhelming, and we are so proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over the course of two days, participants collaborated to introduce game concepts and digital tools that address real-world challenges faced by those who navigate life with psychosis and schizophrenia spectrum disorders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":29852,"template":"","meta":{"story_color":"var(--clarku-color-deep-red)","story_headerImg":29852,"section_label":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[223,227],"displayed_author":[235],"featured":[494],"topic":[574,661],"class_list":["post-29847","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-clark-community","category-science-technology","displayed_author-jim-keogh","featured-secondary","topic-becker-school-of-design-technology","topic-serious-games"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.1 (Yoast 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