Online Gaming is Medicine: The Healing Power of Play

A group of friends going fishing on BitCraft.

Gaming sometimes gets a bad reputation. It's considered a waste of time. The stereotype is that gamers do nothing with their lives. They're lazy, entitled, immature, and unwilling to work. Those who don't understand gaming see it as a hobby people should be ashamed of, especially as an adult.

There is a mental health crisis here in the States. People are depressed and anxious. Therapy can only do so much, and there is no such thing as a happy pill, though I am sure the pharmaceutical industry will try to sell a few. Alternatively, I have been involved in traditional medicine such as ceremony and spiritual doctoring performed by waphiya wicasas on the reservation, Curanderas, and Brauchers in Pennsylvania Dutch country. While western and traditional healthcare can be successful for some people, I have also seen video games serve as powerful medicine, often more effective than dedicated wellness treatments.

People with neurodivergencies or social anxiety can find it difficult to connect with others in person. Online gaming is a very accessible way of meeting the socialization requirements necessary for proper mental health. Without it, many people might otherwise face isolation. Beyond friendship, online gaming can offer an entire world of like-minded players, forming guilds and communities that a person can truly belong to.

My personal relationship with gaming has been a healthy one. I have ADHD and don't always have the social confidence to engage comfortably in the real world. Over the years, connecting with people through World of Warcraft and many other games has forged lifelong friendships. Being part of healthy online gaming communities has served as a strong foundation for stability in my social life and has kept me away from drugs, alcohol, and other temptations that could have led me toward a less healthy lifestyle.

Not only have I developed meaningful friendships and found acceptance in multiple communities over the years, but I was also inspired to build a community of my own, originally developed around my Twitch channel. As much as I downplay my social confidence, I would be lying if I said I didn't have a personality built for captivating an audience and bringing people together.

The intention behind creating this community was to encourage people to engage with their fellow gamers in a way that brightened their day. If I get thrown into a random dungeon group in World of Warcraft, I want being on a team with me to be the highlight of someone's day. I don't know what their life is like, what kind of day they had at work, or what hardships they may be facing. If I can bring some generosity, laughs, and positive energy to their gaming experience, I feel like I am doing something good. It's a philosophy that most everyone in my community has embraced not only in gaming and the online world, but in the real world as well.

Although my Discord is not as active as it was when Palia was popular, the core members have stayed and become close friends. So much so that we exchange handwritten letters throughout the year, especially around the holidays. We still hop into voice chat and spend time together even when we're not playing the same games, or not playing games at all. The friendships built over a game most of us no longer play have transcended gaming entirely and become true, real-life connections.

If you are a gamer reading this, I hope it encourages you to ignore the negative stigma that comes with gaming as an adult and inspires you to keep bringing joy to people's lives through whatever games you play. If someone is unwinding after a long day at work, make that five-minute match the highlight of their day, even if you never cross paths again.

If you are not a gamer, or you view gaming as something negative, I hope my words challenge that belief and open your mind to the very real benefits of online gaming.