Telus announced last week the launch of GameRx, a digital resource designed to let users explore the potential wellness benefits of interactive gaming.
“This first-of-its-kind, wellness-focused gaming website aims to break down the stigma surrounding gaming, offering Canadians evidence-based recommendations for video games that can address various concerns such as stress, mobility, focus, memory and loneliness,” reads a Friday press release from Telus.
Available now in English, with French language support coming by the end of April, GameRx offers a curated selection of video games tailored to improve users’ wellness.
“As a leader in connectivity, TELUS is uniquely positioned to understand how Canadians game and connect, and our PureFibre Internet and award-winning 5G networks have made us the go-to-choice for Canadian gamers,” Dwayne Benefield, chief product officer at Telus, said in the press release. “What excites me most is seeing how gaming has transformed into this incredible tool for wellness and personal growth. We’re not just talking about entertainment anymore — we’re seeing real impacts on mental health, stress relief and building social connections. That’s why we created GameRx to empower Canadians to get the most out of their gaming while creating healthy digital habits. And here’s what makes it special: whether you’re a competitive player or casual gamer, we’ve designed it to help everyone enhance their overall wellbeing.”
Studies have shown that gaming can play a role in promoting positive wellbeing, according to Telus. The company commissioned an online survey, conducted among 1,200 Canadians from March 21-23, 2025, which found more than one-third of respondents “reported using gaming as a coping mechanism for life’s challenges”, according to Telus’s press release. The Telus Gamer Report also found nearly half of those surveyed “perceive gaming as a tool for improving health and fostering diversity, joy and connection.”
Telus also cited a United Nations report from 2023 that found nearly three-quarters of gamers felt video games were effective for stress relief.
For context, in its latest Telus Mental Health Index (October 2024), Telus Health reported the highest decline in the mental health of workers in Canada since 2020, with 37 per cent now at high mental health risk, nearly four per cent higher than the annual average in the last four years, according to the report, which focuses specifically on the relationship between financial stability and mental health.
“There’s some stigma that has developed around gaming. In reality, many people game in a way that reduces stress, introduces them to new people and is a healthy part of their lifestyle. In fact, the gaming industry is now larger than the movie and music industries combined,” said Dr. Matthew Chow, chief mental health officer at Telus Health. “As an industry leader known for innovation and health, TELUS is elevating the conversation around a tremendously popular activity like gaming and how it can be used as a productive area for promoting wellbeing.”
Photo courtesy of Telus
