Cultures of Madness Seminar: Self-harm and suicidality in video games

The seminar will bring together a discussion of more realist modes, in which gamers are encouraged to embody, explore, or investigate instances of suicide and suicidality, with exploration of fantastical or supernatural frameworks wherein notions of harm, blood-letting, and bodily inviolability have alternative meanings or implications.

In both talks, the question of the video game form and its particular affordances of both literal and non-literal temporality, spatiality, and relationality will be deeply considered. Through such an exploration video games emerge as an important and under-studied space wherein meanings and experiences of madness and mental health are collectively worked through or challenged by both creators and players. Following two initial provocations, the event will prioritise wide-ranging discussion between all attendees, as we explore the complexities and nuances of these thought-provoking video games.

Hosted by Durham's Institute for Medical Humanitiesand convened by Kelechi Anucha, Veronica Heneyand Arya Thampuran, in this seminar series we engage with representations of madness and mental distress in creative expressions which challenge the canonical and toy with chronology, reframing our mapping of mental distress against the clinical grain.