Board games as a therapeutic tool in adolescence
Something as seemingly simple as a board game can become a therapeutic tool, beyond the entertainment or fun it may provide.
Board games are an effective method for addressing mental health disorders in adolescence , offering not only entertainment but also significant benefits in terms of emotional, cognitive, and social development. Furthermore, they provide a space to disconnect from daily pressures and stress. Immersion in the dynamics of the game helps reduce anxiety, allowing teenagers to relax and enjoy constructive leisure time.
When used under the guidance of mental health professionals, therapeutic board games can be integrated as a complementary tool in therapy sessions. The therapeutic team can adapt the games to specifically address the needs of each adolescent, using play as a metaphor to explore emotions and personal situations.
Group interventions to stimulate social skills
This tool is precisely the one we use in the Individualized Services Plan (PSI Xplora) of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center of the Sant Joan de Déu Terres de Lleida Hospital , where we care for adolescents between 12 and 18 years old with serious mental health disorders or at risk of developing them, disconnected from the community network and social, health and educational resources.
The PSI professional team intervenes from a community model of case management in the young person's natural environment, observing and identifying difficulties in order to provide the young person and their family with strategies to recover and improve functionality and connection to the different resources of the network.
Educating to empower
Among the different interventions, group sessions are held with the adolescents in the program to provide a space for social interaction that stimulates and promotes different social skills, in a safe and trusting environment.
To achieve this, different board games are used as the main tool, depending on the objectives and needs that are to be addressed.
These are the areas and games we recommend for interventions:
Promotion of social and emotional skills.
Therapeutic board games offer a safe environment for practicing social skills. Through interaction with other players, teenagers can improve their communication, teamwork, empathy, and conflict resolution skills. These interactions strengthen interpersonal relationships and foster a supportive environment.
Coping and problem-solving strategies.
They involve strategic decision-making and problem-solving, which can be beneficial for teenagers facing emotional challenges. By participating in these activities, young people learn to plan, make decisions, and cope with adversity—skills that are transferable to everyday life.
- The games we use are Halli Galli and Dobble Connect .
Stimulation of critical thinking and creativity.
These games challenge the mind, stimulate strategic thinking, and foster creativity. Teenagers explore different approaches and strategies, which improves their ability to think critically and find innovative solutions.
- The games we use are Pictionary , Dixit , Influencer or Unusual Suspects.
In summary, therapeutic board games emerge as a valuable tool for the development and well-being of adolescents with mental health disorders. Their ability to improve social skills, foster coping strategies, reduce stress, and stimulate critical thinking makes them an effective complement to therapeutic approaches. It is essential to recognize their potential and their role in promoting mental health among young people.
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