In the landscape of mental health innovation, it's rare to see a card game standing shoulder to shoulder with giants of the healthcare industry. Yet, that's precisely where we found ourselves at this year’s Design in Mental Health Network Awards.

The Happy Heads Card Game, our labor of love at Book of Beasties, was shortlisted for the Product Innovation of the Year Award, sharing the stage with influential players like the NHS and other multi-million pound organisations.

Although we did not take home the top prize, the nomination itself marks a significant achievement not just for us but for the toy and game industry at large. It’s a validation of our belief that play, toys, and games hold a critical role in nurturing wellbeing and happiness, especially among children and families.

The Happy Heads Card Game was conceived with a simple mission: to make learning about emotional wellbeing engaging and accessible. This card game invites families to explore emotions, challenges, and strategies for mental health through play, fostering not only understanding but also essential communication skills between children and adults.

To see it recognised in a domain that typically highlights technological or therapeutic innovations underscores the evolving appreciation for diverse approaches to mental health.

Being shortlisted alongside such esteemed and well-resourced organisations is a privilege that fills our team with immense pride. It is a testament to the power of innovative thinking and creative problem-solving, regardless of the industry. This recognition brings us a step closer to our goal of integrating play into education, healthcare, and mental healthcare more comprehensively.

Our journey doesn’t stop here. Inspired by the recognition from the Design in Mental Health Network, we are more motivated than ever to push the boundaries of what play can achieve. We are thankful for the opportunity to spotlight the potential of toys and games as tools for meaningful impact—a vision that we hope to share more broadly.

The importance of integrating play into the development and happiness of children cannot be overstated. As we move forward, our mission remains clear: to illuminate the benefits of play in fostering healthier, happier communities. We believe that through continued innovation and passionate storytelling, we can make a profound difference in how society approaches learning, mental health, and overall well-being.

Thank you to the Design in Mental Health Network for this incredible honor, and to all our supporters who believe in the transformative power of play. Here’s to more adventures, more learning, and more joy in the pursuit of wellbeing through the magical world of games.

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