The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Healthy Gaming is a forward-thinking qualification designed to address the evolving relationship between digital gaming and mental health. As gaming continues to play a significant role in modern entertainment, education, and social interaction, there is a growing need for informed, balanced approaches to its use. This diploma provides participants with the knowledge, insight, and strategies required to promote healthy gaming behaviours across various contexts.
Grounded in psychological theory and current research, the course explores both the positive and potentially harmful effects of gaming. Participants learn to recognise signs of excessive gaming, understand its links to behavioural health, and explore preventative and supportive strategies for individuals at risk of gaming-related issues. The programme also highlights the benefits of gaming when approached with moderation, structure, and purpose.
The curriculum is structured to cover essential themes such as digital well-being, screen time management, gaming addiction, social and emotional development, and the role of gaming in education and therapy. Participants are introduced to practical frameworks for assessing gaming habits, setting healthy boundaries, and supporting individuals in making informed, responsible choices.
This programme is particularly relevant for those working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults, as well as those in mental health, education, social work, or digital media environments. It equips participants to foster conversations about gaming that are respectful, evidence-based, and supportive of individual well-being.
Upon completion of the OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Healthy Gaming, participants will be prepared to contribute positively to the discourse on gaming and health. They will gain practical skills for promoting digital balance, addressing gaming-related challenges, and helping others navigate the digital world with awareness and control. This qualification supports both professional growth and meaningful impact in an increasingly connected, technology-driven society.
OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Healthy Gaming
Study Units
Learning Outcomes
Introduction to Healthy Gaming: Concepts and Context (3 Hours)
- Define healthy gaming and understand its relevance in modern society
- Explore the evolution of gaming and its growing role in daily life
- Identify common misconceptions and facts about digital game use
- Recognise the need for balanced engagement with games across different settings
Psychological and Neurological Aspects of Gaming (4 Hours)
- Understand how gaming stimulates neurological and psychological responses
- Explore the role of reward systems, motivation, and habit formation in gaming behaviour
- Identify how gaming can impact attention, emotion, and cognitive processing
- Examine the links between gaming patterns and brain development
Understanding Gaming Addiction and Behavioural Risks (4 Hours)
- Define gaming addiction and distinguish it from healthy engagement
- Recognise behavioural warning signs and risk factors for problematic gaming
- Understand diagnostic criteria and classification in global health frameworks
- Explore early intervention approaches for gaming-related behavioural issues
Benefits of Gaming: Cognitive, Social, and Educational Perspectives (5 Hours)
- Identify positive cognitive outcomes of structured game use
- Explore how gaming supports social interaction, teamwork, and communication
- Assess the educational value of gaming in learning and development
- Understand the conditions under which gaming offers measurable benefits
Screen Time, Sleep, and Digital Well-being (3 Hours)
- Understand the impact of prolonged screen use on sleep cycles and mental alertness
- Examine how excessive gaming affects physical health and emotional regulation
- Explore strategies to maintain healthy screen habits and promote digital well-being
- Learn to set boundaries that support restorative rest and focus
Gaming and Mental Health: Risk Factors and Protective Strategies (6 Hours)
- Identify the relationship between gaming and anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem
- Understand how games can both support and challenge mental well-being
- Learn to develop protective strategies to reduce mental health risks
- Apply trauma-informed and person-centred approaches to support digital users
Assessing and Managing Gaming Habits in Different Age Groups (4 Hours)
- Explore developmental differences in gaming behaviour across age groups
- Understand how to tailor guidance and boundaries for children, adolescents, and adults
- Assess individual gaming patterns using appropriate tools and frameworks
- Develop age-appropriate strategies for healthy gaming engagement
Parental and Professional Guidance in Digital Game Use (2 Hours)
- Understand the role of parents, educators, and professionals in shaping gaming habits
- Learn how to communicate effectively about gaming expectations and limits
- Provide supportive, informed guidance tailored to diverse needs and family structures
- Promote open dialogue and proactive planning around digital game use
Course Benefits – OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Healthy Gaming
- Gain a balanced and research-informed understanding of digital gaming and its psychological impact
- Learn to identify both the risks and benefits associated with gaming across different age groups
- Develop skills to assess gaming behaviour and promote responsible digital engagement
- Strengthen awareness of gaming addiction, behavioural warning signs, and early intervention strategies
- Understand how gaming can support cognitive, emotional, and social development when used constructively
- Build confidence in advising individuals, families, and professionals on healthy gaming habits
- Enhance your ability to create practical frameworks for digital well-being and screen-time management
- Apply ethical and culturally sensitive approaches to conversations around gaming and technology use
- Improve your professional profile with a recognised qualification aligned to UK training standards
- Contribute to positive change by supporting healthier relationships with technology in personal and community settings
The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Healthy Gaming is designed for individuals who support or engage with digital technology and gaming in educational, clinical, social, or developmental settings. This course is particularly suitable for:
- Mental health practitioners and counsellors working with individuals affected by gaming behaviours
- Educators and youth workers supporting digital literacy and well-being among learners
- Parents, carers, and family support professionals seeking to understand and guide healthy gaming habits
- Health and social care workers addressing digital behaviour within community or clinical care
- Professionals in education, social work, or child development involved in online safety and media engagement
- Behavioural coaches and life skills trainers supporting balanced digital lifestyles
- Anyone with a personal or professional interest in promoting digital well-being and responsible gaming
This qualification provides participants with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to approach gaming positively and responsibly, supporting healthier relationships with digital entertainment in a wide range of personal and professional contexts.
