The social VR platform The Safe Zone, developed in collaboration with VIVERSE by HTC, uses immersive technologies to support young people’s mental health. In a safe and anonymous environment, young people can interact with each other via avatars, receive support from mentors and therapists and find faster access to first aid.
- The platform offers safe, anonymous interactions in a playful VR environment.
- Access to professional support from mentors and therapists directly in virtual reality.
- Integration with VIVERSE for Business with flexible, modular room designs.
- Support for digital therapists who can connect from any location.
A response to the increasing need for mental health support
The Safe Zone was developed during the Covid pandemic in response to the growing need for mental health support. A survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation found that almost half of 16 to 30-year-olds in Germany feel lonely. Similar results were revealed in a survey by NHS England, which found that one in five children and young adults between the ages of 8 and 25 suffer from a mental health disorder.
In this increasingly stressful reality, immersive technologies such as The Safe Zone offer new approaches to support mental health. Initial studies on the use of VR in therapy show promising results: In an analysis of 61 people treated in the Metaverse, anxiety and stress decreased by 34 and 32 percent respectively.
Safe and anonymous interactions
The Safe Zone offers an environment in which young people can interact safely and anonymously. Users can communicate and exchange ideas in virtual spaces using realistic or creative avatars. This playful environment is designed to promote trust and lower the inhibition threshold for taking the first step towards support.
A special feature of the platform is the integration of trained mentors and therapists who can be contacted directly in the VR rooms. The quick and uncomplicated contact enables early support and can significantly reduce the waiting time for further therapy services. Petra Dahm, CIO of StellDirVor GmbH and co-initiator of The Safe Zone initiative, emphasizes: “It is important to understand that you are not alone and that help is available. The Safe Zone offers a place where young people can find community again, make friends and have access to trusted supporters.”
Modular design and flexible use
The Safe Zone is part of VIVERSE for Business, a platform for spatial collaboration that enables unlimited connections. Thanks to the modular design, the virtual rooms can be adapted to individual needs. This flexibility allows specific spaces to be created for different groups, such as people with autism, teenagers with cancer or young people without family support.
The platform’s most important rooms include the Sharing Space, a central meeting point for group discussions under a large tree, the Selfcare Room for private meetings between mentors and therapists, and the Creative Circle, where users can get creative, create art and develop new ideas.
John Dabill, Director of VIVERSE at HTC, emphasizes the importance of the platform: “The Safe Zone offers young people a new way to find support. The combination of immersive technology and professional mental health support ensures that users’ needs are met in an innovative way.”
Conclusion
The Safe Zone is a pioneering platform that uses virtual reality to support young people’s mental health. Through safe and anonymous interactions and direct access to mentors and therapists, it offers a valuable addition to traditional forms of therapy. The integration with VIVERSE for Business and the modular design allow for flexible adaptation to the needs of different user groups and demonstrate the potential of immersive technologies in mental health care. For more information, visit The Safe Zone website.
