“How might we leverage cognitive behavioral therapy and modern technology to develop mental health interventions for adolescents?”

In Aotearoa, approximately 21% of young people aged 10-19 face mental health disorders. Emotion Navigator is an interactive game specifically designed for adolescents, aiming to provide both an engaging and educational experience by incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a widely-used method in psychological treatment. In the game, users wear heart rate monitoring devices, and the system adjusts the storyline in real-time based on the user’s physiological data. This encourages players to learn how to regulate their emotions while facing virtual challenges and develop healthy psychological response patterns. Additionally, the game serves as a valuable tool for parents and doctors, allowing them to monitor the mental health of adolescents and helping to detect and intervene in potential mental health issues at an early stage, thus offering timely support.