BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
Children and young people are finding consolation for their deepest wounds in the most unlikely of places: a virtual island surrounded by tranquil digital seas. Apart of Me, a video game meant to help young people manage grief is quietly changing how we address loss and trauma.
Created in 2018, this free-to-play game has helped over 44,000 users in the UK and 160,000 people globally by providing a secure, interactive environment for negotiating the intricacies of bereavement. According to Manchester psychologist and co-founder Louis Weinstock, the game’s goal is to help users “transform their grief into compassion” and, ultimately, to “find ways to help others who have experienced something like them.”
Turning pain into purpose
Set on a tranquil 3D island, Apart of Me introduces its players—aged 11 to 18—to relatable characters, each struggling with grief-related challenges. The aim for players is simple but profound: assist these folks in navigating their agony by collecting important artifacts dispersed over the island. Each object teaches players about sorrow, fosters understanding, and offers coping strategies.
However, this game does more than just educate; it facilitates talks that may feel too heavy or unpleasant in conventional contexts. “It gives young people an outlet to have those conversations that otherwise might be difficult to have,” Weinstock says.
The game even anticipates users’ unspoken questions, providing answers and insights in an anonymous, judgment-free environment. “Grief can profoundly affect and sadly damage young people who don’t get the right support at the right time,” Weinstock adds. By intervening early, Apart of Me hopes to reduce the long-term mental health concerns that are frequently connected with unresolved grieving, such as anxiety and depression.
The origin story
Weinstock’s motivation for Apart of Me stems from both his professional and personal experiences with grief. He recalls the devastating impact his grandfather’s untimely death had on his father, who was only 13 years old at the time. The unresolved anguish spread through generations, eventually reaching Weinstock as a teenager.
“My dad didn’t have anyone to help him through his grief, and I’m sure that’s part of why, at 13, I went through a challenging time,” he reflects. This personal history laid the groundwork for Weinstock’s mission: to ensure that no child has to bear their anguish alone.
Weinstock spoke with young people at a hospice early on in the game’s development to better understand their needs. Their message was clear: standard therapy was not always the solution. “Not all [young people] want to sit in a room with a stranger and talk about their feelings,” he says. Apart of Me was born out of a desire to meet them where they felt most at ease—through the medium of video games.
Compassion in every pixel
User feedback highlights the game’s enormous impact. Many people appreciate having a tool they can use at any time, rather than having to schedule weekly therapy appointments. Others take comfort in knowing they are not alone. “It helped them make sense of their feelings,” Weinstock adds, “and particularly, it helped them feel less alone.”
To expand on its success, Apart of Me is being introduced into select schools as part of a three-year National Lottery program. Weinstock is also soliciting funds to develop a new feature known as “heart notes,” which will allow users to leave messages of compassion for those exploring the virtual island.
The game also acts as a bridge to traditional support systems, pointing players toward additional services when necessary. One of its most notable features is its accessibility: Apart of Me is free to download and does not require a referral, making it available to anybody in need.
Weinstock’s ultimate goal is clear: a world in which grief is treated with understanding, compassion, and prompt assistance. Apart of Me is rethinking what it means to serve young people by embracing technology as a healing tool.
“Grief doesn’t have to be something that isolates us,” he remarks. “With the right support, it can become a bridge that connects us to others and strengthens our sense of empathy.”
As more young people connect to Apart of Me‘s virtual island, they are not only learning how to cope with their own loss but also establishing a legacy of compassion for others to follow.
