The City of Mobile is taking a fresh approach to helping young people navigate life’s challenges.
Instead of another lecture or workbook, they’re using something more engaging—a game.
The SuperBetter app is now part of the city’s Family Intervention Team (FIT) program, offering at-risk youth and their families a tool to build resilience, improve mental health, and tackle daily struggles in a way that feels more like play than therapy.
A Game That Builds Real-Life Skills
SuperBetter isn’t your typical mobile game.
It’s designed to help users develop life skills, improve emotional well-being, and boost confidence.
Players take on personal challenges, battle obstacles, and recruit allies—all within a game-like structure backed by science.
Keith Wakeman, CEO and founder of SuperBetter, says the app helps users strengthen their resilience and self-efficacy, meaning they’ll feel more confident in overcoming obstacles.
Research also shows it can reduce anxiety and depression, making it a powerful tool for young people dealing with stress, school struggles, or personal hardships.
From Family Struggles to Big Wins
For families in the FIT program, resources like this can be life-changing.
Just ask Destiny Lane, whose younger brother Robert struggled with anger, school attendance, and personal loss after their father passed away.
Before FIT, every day was a battle.
“He wasn’t the little brother I was used to,” Destiny said. “It was constant fighting.”
After joining the program, Robert began improving—going to school regularly, opening up more, and finding ways to manage his emotions.
Adding SuperBetter to the mix gives families like his another way to build on that progress.
“It’s something interactive for him,” Destiny said. “I think it’ll really help.”
City Invests in a New Approach
The city secured a $27,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to cover 600 subscriptions for local families.
Those eligible include youth referred through their school, the courts, or the Mobile Police Department.
Public Safety Deputy Director Curtis Graves sees the app as another tool in the city’s efforts to support young people.
While there’s no single fix for the challenges some kids face, offering multiple solutions—especially those that meet them where they are—can make a difference.
“There’s no one cure for behavior that leads to violence,” Graves said. “But we can provide platforms that help build resilience before small challenges grow into bigger problems.”
Parents Play a Role Too
SuperBetter isn’t just for teens—it’s designed to involve families.
Parents can access the app, complete activities alongside their children, and learn strategies to help them navigate tough situations together.
At the end of the day, Graves emphasizes that the strongest support comes from home.
“It still requires parents actively engaging with their kids,” he said. “The city can provide tools, but families are the foundation.”
With this new initiative, Mobile is showing that sometimes, a fresh perspective—and a little gameplay—can go a long way in helping young people succeed.
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