Uncovering the unseen: designing interactive narratives for the identification of suicidal ideation in adolescent populations

Abstract

This article presents the design and development of "Sentinella," a Virtual Reality game narrative created for adolescent populations to aid in the identification and prevention of suicidal ideation. It details the asymmetric interactive narrative structure, which uses a "Sentinella Mode" mechanic to translate subtle psychological symptoms into observable environmental clues, fulfilling targeted narrative goals. Developed in collaboration with the Guanajuato Health Secretariat, the educational game utilizes ethical, art-driven principles to responsibly address the serious public health problem of youth suicide.