Abstract
Children in Sansamwenje Community, Isoka District, Zambia, face significant mental health challenges, stemming from adverse conditions such as premature exposure to adulthood responsibilities, fractured family structures, social inferiority, caretaking roles, and child-headed households. These stressors undermine their mental well-being, resilience, and capacity for academic and personal growth. Addressing this critical issue, this study explores the application of the SuperBetter Toolkit, an innovative gamified framework designed to enhance mental health and resilience among children. The toolkit is structured into three progressive levels: Social and Emotional Learning, which fosters emotional awareness and self-regulation; SuperBetter, which introduces gamified elements like challenges, power-ups, and quests to contextualize struggles and promote active problem-solving; and SuperBetter Children for Health, which empowers children to apply these principles to real-world health challenges, fostering self-efficacy and resilience. This study utilized qualitative and participatory methods, engaging children, educators, and caregivers in the implementation and evaluation of the program over 12 months. Key findings include improved emotional regulation, increased self-esteem, and enhanced problem-solving abilities among participants. Children reported feeling more confident in addressing challenges, while caregivers observed noticeable improvements in behavior and well-being. The study concludes that the SuperBetter Toolkit offers a practical and scalable approach to addressing mental health challenges in resource-constrained communities. By combining emotional learning with gamification, the program provides a unique, child-centered framework that not only enhances mental health outcomes but also fosters resilience and community-driven problem-solving. Further research is recommended to expand its implementation across similar contexts.
Published Version
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