The Conecta Challenge 2026 is selecting 25 video game studios in Mexico to develop games focused on the mental health of children and adolescents [1].
This initiative seeks to transform a common daily activity into a therapeutic tool. By leveraging the popularity of gaming, the program aims to reach young populations who may struggle to access traditional mental health support.
The call for entries is open to studios across the entire country [1]. Selected participants will receive international investment, specialized mentorship, and training to ensure the resulting projects are both engaging and effective for their target demographic [1].
Organizers said the goal is to create a tool that promotes mental health care through an everyday medium [1]. The program emphasizes the role of interactive technology in addressing the emotional needs of youth in the current digital era.
While the specific entity organizing the challenge was not named in the announcement, the project focuses on the intersection of technology and public health [1]. The 25 selected studios [1] will work toward creating a project that integrates clinical goals with game design.
The Conecta Challenge 2026 [1] represents a shift toward gamified healthcare in Mexico. By providing financial and technical resources, the program intends to build a sustainable bridge between the gaming industry and mental health professionals.
“Twenty-five video game studios will develop tools to support the mental health of children and adolescents.”
This initiative reflects a growing global trend of 'gamification' in medicine, where interactive software is used to treat or monitor health conditions. By targeting children and adolescents in Mexico, the program acknowledges the difficulty of engaging youth in traditional therapy and attempts to meet them in a digital environment they already trust and frequent.
