Researchers are saying that online video games can help with mental health
Experts are saying that online video gaming could be the revolutionary way to deal with mental health issues in youth.
Dealing with mental health is no easy affair, but to have to deal with your child or children going through it and amidst a worldwide pandemic, can be even more challenging.
Notwithstanding the costs involved in seeking help from health professionals, the stigma attached to it is deep rooted as an illness that is not acknowledged enough and therefore not given the attention that it needs.
Although there are many people who are breaking those stigmas, influential people like Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and even Prince Harry are paying special attention to it. This helps, because it allows the greater masses of people to understand that this isn't abnormal and that dealing with it can be beneficial to individuals, families, communities, and even countries...
There is also a somewhat negative association to online video gaming for children, this stemming from the effects of being online for long periods, the lack of social interaction, sometimes the violence, and the list could go on.
"Researchers at Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software have come to the party and have released information that states that video games have the potential to provide low-cost, easy access, effective and stigma-free support to those in need," The South African reports.
The lead study author said:
The financial and healthcare service burden of mental illness, which affects more than 14% of the world’s population, and stated that many go untreated
We must admit that this wouldn't be the first thing we would've thought about, but it sure is original. Obviously, this is by no means an advocation to encourage a lifestyle that is purely online, we can all admit the benefits of the outdoors, especially since the first lockdown.
These are well-suited for the implementation of cognitive behavioural techniques for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in the future
So, whether you are a gamer or not, this type of therapy could potentially assist in mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, if you don't try you will never know, so why not give it a go.
Remember, we don't advocate for this, we just believe that if you don't try things then you will never know if it's for you or not.
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