Kat Mahoney

Today's statistics show an increased rate of depression, anxiety, social phobia, and mental clutter, but there is a reason for the rise in both emotional disorders and geek entertainment such as cosplay, video games, and anime. This presentation will discuss the connection between this society and the industry and how educators, parents, counselors, and professionals can utilize this industry to motivate, inspire, and mold happy, healthy, and creative minds.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will learn about the connections between emotional disorders and geek entertainment such as cosplay, video games, and anime.

• Attendees will learn how educators, parents, counselors, and professionals can utilize the edutainment industry to motivate, inspire, and mold happy, healthy, and creative minds.

Having been military for over 40 years and raising three kids, two with high functioning Autism, Mrs. Mahoney has learned to cope through months of deployments, TDYs, and relocations every 3-4 years all while trying to secure her career, write books, run a non-profit, and struggle with Anxiety Disorder and Fibromylagia. Be a better wife, mother, and career woman and still LOVE yourself through time management, budgeting, and emotional well-being.

This is a basic introduction to the different Video Game Genres and ESRB ratings for parents or players interested in learning more about video game play beyond the typical Tetris. What are the different game aspects? What equipment is required? What are some of the safety precautions? Let's Play!