Play The Amazing Spider-Man VG; And Beat Up Psychiatric Patients

     I came home today and my brother opened the door and was looking very excited. He squeaked 'Guess what game I got! Guess what game I got!' A few ideas came to mind, but before I could answer he had already told me - The Amazing Spider-Man (The ASM).
     Like my brother, I am too a great fan of Spider-Man (and super-heroes in general); so I decided that I would sit in for while and watch him play his new game. Now here this brings me to the point of today's blog post.
     One of the levels within game is set in a psychiatric hospital called the 'Beloit Psychiatric Hospital', and here Spider-Man comes to find a patient, Dr Connors, and release him. The game level starts, and Spider-Man sets out to open Dr Connors ward, however, a security guard accidentally ends up opening all of the wards and releasing all of the patients. The level progresses to where the patients are 'subdued' by Spider-Man; the game-player can beat the living snot out of the patients. I find this absolutely disgusting.
     Here below are some screen-shots taken from a video walk-through of the game.

YouTube Screen-shot from a walk-through of The ASM; game-player/Spider-Man beats up psychiatric patient.

Another YouTube Screen-shot from a walk-through of The ASM.

And another YouTube Screen-shot.

   
     As I watched my brother playing this game I was feeling horrified, disgusted and distressed. I understand the structures and features of games that fall into this genre; you have 'enemies' and the objective is to defeat them, but to make these 'enemies' psychiatric patients (who can be quite vulnerable) is sickening. Also, depending on which format the game is in, you can also earn achievements - so does that mean that you're being rewarded for punching and kicking psychiatric patients?
     The game itself also seems to depict the patients as violent, and makes many other prejudicial and misinformed statements about those that have mental illnesses. Those who suffer with mental illnesses are more likely to be a victim of violence. I have no idea what the game makers/developers were thinking at the time, but they have been unbelievably insensitive and offensive. It's also quite hard to think that the developers at Beenox, or the publishers at Activision have not once appeared to think or consider the ethics within this game.
     Now, I think this game is going to be popular - it's Spider-Man - and so there are going to be a relatively large amount of people that are going to be playing this game. There may be some game-players who know the myths and the facts on mental health - and may see the point I'm making here, but there's also the case of having those that don't and this game adds fuel to the fire of prejudice. In one way or another someone could end getting hurt by this.

BMNM.

This Week Is Carers Week

     This year Carers Week is from 18th - 24th June, and there's no better time now than to raise awareness and show support very much deserved by carers.


     Carers are those that provide unpaid care by looking after family members that are either ill, frail or disabled. There are points in our lives where it is going to be very likely that every one of us will be involved in this too. It is estimated that 10% of population (or nearly 6,000,000 people) are carers [1], myself included.  


     Although caring is a part of life, without the right support the well-being of carers can be heavily at risk. Caring can take effect on your finances, health, career, your family and social life. Carers can fall out of paid work and many rely on low-level benefits, forcing them into poverty [2]. With is in mind, it is important to consider how much carers contribute to their communities; (for one thing) it has been calculated that carers save the economy £119 billion each year, however, in return carers experience isolation, ignorance and little/no support. It has been reported that 625,000 people suffer physical and mental ill health due to the stress and demands of caring [3]. That is not to say that there is not any help available, but it can be difficult to look for if resources are restricted or unavailable.


     If you, or someone you know, is a carer there are many resources available that can advise and assist you; whether it'd be for financial, career, or health advice. Such organisations and charities (to name a few) like Connexions, Carers UK, Mind can offer valuable advice, information and support for when you really need it.


     Now remember, as this week is carers week set aside time to think about carers and what they do, raise awareness, donate, or do all of the above. What will you do?


BMNM.



[1] http://carersweek.org/about-carers/facts-about-caring
[2] http://carersweek.org/about-us/carers-uk
[3] http://www.carersuk.org/newsroom/stats-and-facts

What is 'Be Mindful, Not Mindless'?

     Hello, I thought I'd just let you all know what Be Mindful, Not Mindless (BMNM for short) is all about. The blog itself will concern all things involved with mental health (from filling in the facts, to commenting on related news stories).
     
     Just like physical health we all have mental health; it can be good and it can be bad. Mental health, and it's awareness, has always been something very close and important to me, and it is for many others as well. 1 in 4 will experience mental health problems, whether it'd be themselves or someone they know. For something that affects all of us it still appears to be one of the biggest taboos in our society still. I hope to play some part in ending this. 
     My aim is to help raise awareness and hopefully educate others about mental health. Will you help too?

BMNM.