Take This Announces Season 2 of Accelerate; Applications Now Open Supported by Riot Games and Unlikely Collaborators

KIRKLAND, Wash., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Take This is proud to announce the return of its Accelerate Mentorship Program, a groundbreaking initiative for emerging professionals working at the intersection of the games and mental health industries. Accelerate is designed to advance the quality of mental health research, game design, and community interaction within gaming spaces, while also supporting individuals whose voices and presence have historically been excluded. Now entering its second season, Accelerate offers one-on-one mentorship, professional development, and a robust support network aimed at developing future leaders who will champion mental health and inclusion across the industry.

Applications for Accelerate Season 2 are officially open and will remain open through Sunday, July 27. Interested applicants can apply at takethis.org/accelerate.

"Accelerate is a mentorship program with the power to shape both the games industry and the communities it serves," said Dr. Sarah Hays, Accelerate Program Manager. "By investing in the next generation of mental health and gaming professionals, we're helping build a future where both game creators and players are better supported."

Accelerate Season 2 builds on the success of the pilot program, which saw fellows take significant strides in their careers and personal development. Many participants landed new jobs, launched new projects, and formed long-lasting relationships with peers and mentors across both fields.

Accelerate Season 2 is made possible through the generous support of both lead funder Riot Games and Unlikely Collaborators, whose partnership helps keep the program accessible, impactful, and free for all participants.

"I'm so pleased that Riot Games and Unlikely Collaborators share our vision for cultivating a community of professionals who understand both games and mental health," said Dr. Kelli Dunlap, Executive Director at Take This. "With their support, Accelerate has the potential to create meaningful shifts in how games are made, played, and supported."

"As longtime supporters of Take This we're thrilled to see them bring back the Accelerate program for Season 2 to continue to help aspiring gaming and mental health professionals," said Jeffrey Burrell, Head of Social Impact, Riot Games. "The work that Take This is doing in the mental health and gaming space is unlike any other organization and Riot is proud to be a part of their mission to create a safer and more inclusive industry for all."

"There's so much pressure to have it all figured out. Accelerate gives people space to pause, question the beliefs they're carrying, and reconnect with what really matters not just in work, but in being human. Through mentorship, community, and real conversations, it helps untangle the internal narratives that often go unexamined," said Elizabeth R. Koch, Founder and Chair of Unlikely Collaborators.

For more information about Accelerate and how to apply, visit takethis.org/accelerate.

About Take This
Take This is a mental health nonprofit serving the game community and industry. Since 2013, Take This has provided education, support, and resources to improve the mental well-being of everyone who plays and makes games.

About Riot Games
Riot Games was founded in 2006 to develop, publish, and support the most player-focused games in the world. In 2009, Riot released its debut title, League of Legends, which has gone on to be one of the most-played PC games in the world. In the years that followed, Riot released VALORANT, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and League of Legends: Wild Rift. Riot's titles have led to the creation of some of the most-watched and widely recognized esports in the world, culminating in events like the League of Legends World Championship and VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), which are watched by millions of fans each year. Riot has also expanded its IP through multimedia projects across music, comic books, board games, and Arcane, its Emmy-winning animated series.

About Unlikely Collaborators
Unlikely Collaborators is a nonprofit founded and chaired by Elizabeth R. Koch, dedicated to fostering transformative storytelling, human connection, and inner growth. At the heart of its mission is the Perception Box^™ framework, an approach rooted in cognitive science and psychology that explores how unconscious beliefs and personal narratives shape the way we see the world. UC believes that external conflict often stems from unresolved internal conflict, and supports projects that challenge assumptions, spark self-awareness, and invite people into deeper dialogue and discovery both individually and in community.

SOURCE Unlikely Collaborators