Positive Impacts of Video and PC Games on Mental Health

The dominant narrative about video games and mental health has principally been negative. We have all heard the narrative: Gaming promotes violent behavior, Online Gaming furthers the rift between virtual reality and actual reality and has negative impacts on youth, and so on. But given the proliferation of more realistic video games, plots that specifically focus on mental health issues, and the global pandemic forcing indoor activities, the online gaming industry has exploded with more innovative and intuitive games. Additionally, more studies are now beginning to explore the positive correlations between video games and mental health, specifically games where the main character or avatar is experiencing a mental health issue that they must overcome. Depending on how online gaming is used, it has the potential to be harmful or bestow positive psychological outcomes for the mental health of the individuals involved, and it is crucial to acknowledge the dualistic nature of gaming, like any other recreational activity.

One of the major victories for mental health advocates is that games focused on mental health are beginning to reduce the stigma around having a mental health issue. At this point, overarching mental health struggles such as ‘depression’, ‘anxiety,’ ‘burnout,’ and others are almost commonplace, given the recent struggles of thousands during the COVID-19 pandemic. Video games offer a unique avenue into the study of stigma reduction. While some research has suggested that contact — even non-face-to-face contact — with mentally ill individuals can be effective in reducing stigma, video games offer the opportunity to take contact further by handing the player direct control of the mentally ill character.

PC and online games offer a unique experience for mental health sufferers by allowing them to experience their mental health struggle without constantly reliving it. By taking control of an avatar that has a mental health struggle, in affect, users are also taking control of their own situation and empowering themselves to find strength, help themselves succeed, and ultimately help their avatars achieve their goals. In addition, this entire experience occurs in a protected space, where having a mental health issue, expressing that mental health issue to others, communicating that the avatar (and the user) need help, and having concrete goals of achievement, is not only acceptable, but encouraged.

Of course, the flip side to this is that the avatars need to have mental health struggles that are nuanced and specific, rather than caricatures of mental health struggles commonly depicted in today’s culture. Game developers need to educate themselves to create a compassionate and accurate representation of diverse people in the broader context of mental well-being, providing a realistic experience to people and helping them understand what actually happens to a person who experiences issues related to mental health. There are many games that do this flawlessly (listed below), but there is a long way to go for this to become the norm. As a result, the best possible resource to solicit accurate experiences of difficult mental health struggles is the global mental health community. If users are able to put into laymen’s terms their experiences, emotions, fears, and triumphs, we will be well on our way to eliminating the stigma about mental health, in addition to providing meaningful online experiences to those who need it most.

The key is moderation. The problem with excessive gaming is that it has addictive properties by nature, which is when it becomes dangerous for at risk users. Video and PC games can and should be used for the greater good and thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the confluence of mental health issues and being forced to socially distance is creating a new type of PC and video game, where avatars are accurately being depicted with acute mental health disorders and put into scenarios to cope with the daily affects of having them. For example, if the avatar chosen suffers from a mental health issue and the user is helping them succeed, that sense of euphoria and a moment of triumph should be celebrated. Since the avatar succeeded, so too can the user overcome their obstacles and triumph over their mental health issue. However, online gaming is dependent on the users ability to switch off, enter into reality, and return back to the game to support their avatar on their own time.

As online gaming continues to grow in popularity, one must ask: Can online gaming used responsibly replace the professional counseling or online therapy model? It certainly has the potential. Online gaming has been a critical supplemental resource during the pandemic. “Every therapist I know is wildly overbooked right now, […] When clients can’t get in to see her right away or want to practice coping techniques between sessions, she often prescribes mental health-focused games.” For many, professional counseling is simply too invasive, expensive, or inconvenient to be a viable option for mental health support. And trend lines are strong that video games could become a viable replacement for the current model, serving as a type of DIY therapy using games tailored toward specific mental health issues. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Depression / Anxiety: Night in the Woods (@nightinthewoods)
• Isolation / Loneliness: Please Knock on my Door (@GTLime)
• Divorce / Separation: Florence ( Annapurna Pictures )
• Caregivers for Dementia / Alzheimers: Before I Forget (@ChellaRamanan)

Given the proliferation of games that offer a tailored experience and intelligent approach toward different facets of mental health, such as addressing stigma, symptoms, and potential coping solutions, @confidconvos are optimistic that video games can and will offer a fully immersive and meaningful experience to those suffering from painful mental health issues both as a supplement and a replacement to traditional therapy. We will be watching this space very closely and building a library of PC and video games tailored to specific mental health issues to complement the anonymous peer led support group service currently offered within our app. All of these generous gamers and more have agreed to share their games in our upcoming digital media library, which will be released in the next iteration of the Confidential Conversations App on iOS and GooglePlay.