PUTTING MENTAL HEALTH ON THE MAP
The community is incredibly important for many gamers – for some, it’s almost as important as the game itself. But today, this crucial part of gaming is threatened. Threatened by a toxic culture that affects not just a few but everyone. In 2023, 3 out of 4 gamers experienced toxic behaviour when playing online. Experiencing harassment of this kind has made these spaces uncomfortable, driving 2 out of 3 gamers to consider dropping the game.
The fact is that these harmful actions aren’t caused by the game itself. It often stems from poor mental health which pushes people to act out. That’s why we need to get to the core of this problem.
The community is incredibly important for many gamers – for some, it’s almost as important as the game itself. But today, this crucial part of gaming is threatened. Threatened by a toxic culture that affects not just a few but everyone. In 2023, 3 out of 4 gamers experienced toxic behaviour when playing online. Experiencing harassment of this kind has made these spaces uncomfortable, driving 2 out of 3 gamers to consider dropping the game.
The fact is that these harmful actions aren’t caused by the game itself. It often stems from poor mental health which pushes people to act out. That’s why we need to get to the core of this problem.
Source: Accenture, Gaming: The next superplatform, April 2021
MENTAL HEALTH AND IN-GAME PERFORMANCE
E-sports has been around long enough by now for researchers to have a better understanding of what actually works and what doesn’t. Not too surprisingly, players that take care of themselves are able to perform better over a longer period. Teams that typically don’t give their players that time, find players stressed out, troubled with anxiety and depression, and retiring early unable to perform again. Everyone involved loses. So, how do we become better players with a brighter future?
5 THINGS TO BE AWARE OF
MENTAL HEALTH AND IN-GAME PERFORMANCE
E-sports has been around long enough by now for researchers to have a better understanding of what actually works and what doesn’t. Not too surprisingly, players that take care of themselves are able to perform better over a longer period. Teams that typically don’t give their players that time, find players stressed out, troubled with anxiety and depression, and retiring early unable to perform again. Everyone involved loses. So, how do we become better players with a brighter future?
5 THINGS TO BE AWARE OF
MENTAL HEALTH AND IN-GAME PERFORMANCE
E-sports has been around long enough by now for researchers to have a better understanding of what actually works and what doesn’t. Not too surprisingly, players that take care of themselves are able to perform better over a longer period. Teams that typically don’t give their players that time, find players stressed out, troubled with anxiety and depression, and retiring early unable to perform again. Everyone involved loses. So, how do we become better players with a brighter future?
5 THINGS TO BE AWARE OF
Feeling sad, stressed, angry, worried and everything in between is a part of life. Having a bad day now and then is normal. Thinking life sucks is also normal - because it does suck now and then. Sometimes even for longer periods. You don’t need professional treatment for most of the things you are going through. But going through it alone is usually very hard and can make you feel lonely. So, what can you do?
Not everything is
POOR MENTAL HEALTH
Feeling sad, stressed, angry, worried and everything in between is a part of life. Having a bad day now and then is normal. Thinking life sucks is also normal - because it does suck now and then. Sometimes even for longer periods. You don’t need professional treatment for most of the things you are going through. But going through it alone is usually very hard and can make you feel lonely. So, what can you do?
Not everything is
POOR MENTAL HEALTH
Not everything is poor mental health
Feeling sad, stressed, angry, worried and everything in between is a part of life. Having a bad day now and then is normal. Thinking life sucks is also normal - because it does suck now and then. Sometimes even for longer periods. You don’t need professional treatment for most of the things you are going through. But going through it alone is usually very hard and can make you feel lonely. So, what can you do?
Toxicity is complicated. Mainly because the internet disagrees on what is toxic and what is not. Most people don’t like it when strangers tell them to “fuck off”, but many of us are used to it and don’t take it offensively. For some, friendly banter makes gaming more fun and harsh jokes doesn’t have to mean you’re toxic. So why is this even a problem?
TOXICITY
Toxicity is complicated. Mainly because the internet disagrees on what is toxic and what is not. Most people don’t like it when strangers tell them to “fuck off”, but many of us are used to it and don’t take it offensively. For some, friendly banter makes gaming more fun and harsh jokes doesn’t have to mean you’re toxic. So why is this even a problem?
TOXICITY
Toxicity is complicated. Mainly because the internet disagrees on what is toxic and what is not. Most people don’t like it when strangers tell them to “fuck off”, but many of us are used to it and don’t take it offensively. For some, friendly banter makes gaming more fun and harsh jokes doesn’t have to mean you’re toxic. So why is this even a problem?
TOXICITY
Do you have a friend who has changed lately? Maybe seems to be triggered more easily when losing a game, or just more silent in general when you are playing? Gaming together is of course a great way to get a break from life and everything that’s going on, so sometimes the best thing you do for a friend is to just hang out together. Also, joking about serious things, memeing or making fun of each other is not necessarily a bad thing. But it’s not uncommon that someone who is going through a hard time wants to talk about it for real but doesn’t know how to or what to say. If you are used to just playing together, talking about other things will probably feel awkward. But once you ask that first question, things usually move on naturally from there. But where to start?
HELPING YOUR FRIEND
Do you have a friend who has changed lately? Maybe seems to be triggered more easily when losing a game, or just more silent in general when you are playing? Gaming together is of course a great way to get a break from life and everything that’s going on, so sometimes the best thing you do for a friend is to just hang out together. Also, joking about serious things, memeing or making fun of each other is not necessarily a bad thing. But it’s not uncommon that someone who is going through a hard time wants to talk about it for real but doesn’t know how to or what to say. If you are used to just playing together, talking about other things will probably feel awkward. But once you ask that first question, things usually move on naturally from there. But where to start?
HELPING YOUR FRIEND
Do you have a friend who has changed lately? Maybe seems to be triggered more easily when losing a game, or just more silent in general when you are playing? Gaming together is of course a great way to get a break from life and everything that’s going on, so sometimes the best thing you do for a friend is to just hang out together. Also, joking about serious things, memeing or making fun of each other is not necessarily a bad thing. But it’s not uncommon that someone who is going through a hard time wants to talk about it for real but doesn’t know how to or what to say. If you are used to just playing together, talking about other things will probably feel awkward. But once you ask that first question, things usually move on naturally from there. But where to start?
HELPING YOUR FRIEND
Save the Children Sweden
Visiting address: Gustavslundsvägen 141, Bromma | Postal address: Rädda Barnen, 107 88 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8-698 90 00 | E-mail: kundservice@rb.se | Org. no: 802002-8638
Save the Children Sweden
Visiting address: Gustavslundsvägen 141, Bromma | Postal address: Rädda Barnen, 107 88 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8-698 90 00 | E-mail: kundservice@rb.se | Org. no: 802002-8638
Save the Children Sweden
Visiting address:
Gustavslundsvägen 141, Bromma
Postal address:
Rädda Barnen, 107 88 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8-698 90 00
E-mail: kundservice@rb.se
Org. no: 802002-8638