A wide-ranging new survey on mental health has found that over half of UK gamers feel video games have proven an effective way of staying connected and feeling safe during the pandemic.
65% of gamers living in the United Kingdom said that interacting with other players gave them a stronger feeling of being connected. This is according to a global mental health survey conducted as part of a collaboration between video game publisher MY.GAMES, IGDA and the global coalition of gaming professionals and companies Fair Play Alliance (FPA). Conducted at the end of 2020, the survey utilises response data from over 21,000 players from the US, EU and CIS countries.
The survey also found that UK gamers have the highest awareness of mental health among the polled countries. 79% of respondents said they were well aware of the notion of mental health, while 91% agreed it's important to look after one's health.
Advert
Despite this, UK gamers seem reluctant to ask for help when they need it. While one in three reported experiencing anxiety or stress-induced disorders at least several times a year, 74% are unsure about seeing a mental health professional.
On a personal note, I'd like to point out that I was absolutely reluctant to speak to a professional about my anxiety for several years, believing my issues weren't severe enough to warrant therapy, and that opening up would just make my anxiety worse. In 2020 I got help, completed a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) course, and it's absolutely one of the best things I've ever done.
Advert
As above, well over half of UK gamers felt that interacting with other players during the pandemic was mostly connected with positive emotions, including feeling safe, remaining connected, and that it's OK to make mistakes in games. I'm not here to tell you how to live your life, but if you have gamer friends you feel comfortable talking to, maybe float the idea that you're thinking about speaking to a professional to them? I bet they'd be far more encouraging that you expect. Just remember, it's absolutely okay to talk - and it's definitely okay to ask for help when you're struggling.
Also read:
Short Video Games Are Brilliant For Beating Lockdown Blues
How Video Games Saved My Mental Health Through The Pandemic
A Lockdown Letter From Roger Clark, AKA Arthur Morgan
---
There are various resources that can help provide mental health support, including MIND, Samaritans, Safe In Our World and CALM:
Advert
www.mind.org.uk
0300 123 3393
www.samaritans.org
116 123
Topics: News