WORCESTER, Massachusetts - Students and faculty at Clark University are lending a helping hand to those living with schizophrenia and psychosis.

Clark's Becker School of Design and Technology will host the Games Matter! Jamathon. It's an event where participants develop different types of video games, tabletop games, and card games. Developers are hoping to improve mental health skills, reduce isolation, and promote recovery.

The partnership is a collaboration between Clark and the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance. The nonprofit estimates at least 3.3 to 3.4 million adults, which translates to roughly 1% of U.S. adults, are living with schizophrenia and related spectrum disorders. The alliance also saying they believe those figures may be underreported.

People with lived experiences will aid in the development of these games, with a goal of addressing real-world challenges for players living with these disorders.

"The goal is to help developers understand that games can be more than just fun," said event organizer Alexander Supron. "And when I say that I don't mean that games aren't fun. Because a large tenet of games are that they are fun. But encouraging students to think differently about how people might perceive the world."

"And so a huge part of breaking that stigma, which some folks see as more accurately described as breaking the discrimination that comes to with the stigma, is really bringing the people's voice," said Davy Yue with the S&PAA. "Those who have lived through the journey of navigating recovery and wellness. Centering their voices as part of game development."

The Games Matter! Jamathon is scheduled for September 26th and 27th.