Mental wellness challenges are prevalent worldwide, yet many individuals facing these struggles find it difficult to seek external help due to various barriers. This project investigates the lived experiences of individuals encountering mental wellness challenges and examines the factors that hinder their willingness to seek assistance. Furthermore, the research explores the potential role of relationships in breaking down these barriers and examines narrative games as a medium to stage these experiences, allowing players to engage with and comprehend the challenges faced by individuals. The objective is to incite empathy through thoughtful game design, creating an immersive and interactive experience that promotes understanding and support for individuals dealing with mental health issues. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines qualitative interviews, surveys, and gameplay observations to capture and analyze the experiences and perspectives of individuals facing mental wellness challenges. Thematic analysis techniques are employed to identify key themes and patterns, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help. The research findings highlight various barriers, including social stigma, fear of judgment, lack of awareness, and limited accessibility to mental health services. Additionally, the study uncovers the crucial role that relationships play in overcoming these barriers, emphasizing the significance of support networks and fostering open dialogues. To explore the potential of narrative games as a medium for promoting empathy, the thesis develops and evaluates a prototype game that recreates the lived experiences of individuals facing mental wellness challenges. By immersing players in interactive narratives and decision-making scenarios, the game aims to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities and struggles associated with mental health issues. The research contributes to the fields of psychology, game design, and mental health advocacy by shedding light on the barriers preventing individuals from seeking help and proposing innovative approaches to foster empathy and
