Can playing video games help your mental health?

When we think of video games, our minds are often drawn to loud shooters with bloody imagery and fast action. A siege on the senses. Whilst these types of games still make up a large part of the industry and fanbase, they're no longer the only option.

The World Health Organization now recognises gaming disorder as a mental health condition. Clearly, for some people, video games can trigger unhelpful symptoms. But it's not all bad news. Certain types of games have recently been shown to assist in learning and developing skills such as communication, resourcefulness and adaptability.

"There is also a large body of research utilising gaming theory and structure to help improve willpower and decision-making in a range of mental health conditions," says psychotherapist Noel McDermott. "Games are intrinsically motivating and piggybacking that for serious purposes often demonstrates great results."

Plug in, wind down

Some people believe that gaming could also play a role in stress management.

Consider games like farming simulator Stardew Valley, launched by ConcernedApe in 2016. Your character escapes the monotony of corporate life and moves to a farm to live and work. The aim of the game is longevity: to make friends, fall in love, go on adventures and grow your farm.

There is little to no action and there are no direct threats, meaning that this game is an overall relaxing experience for the player.

Dr Matthew Barr, from the University of Glasgow, says: "Choosing a game for relaxation is very much dependent on the person. But something like Stardew Valley, where you're engaged in what you might call 'busywork,' can be quite soothing."

What works for one person may not work for another, however, Barr acknowledges.

"I find strategy games quite relaxing, probably because the pace is dictated by me, the player. Others find that the cathartic qualities of faster-paced, sometimes more confrontational games offer a satisfying means of winding down."

Many people are now looking to digital solutions to help them de-stress. For example, mental health apps are more popular than ever. So can video games help us too? Potentially, if the games allow us to practise similar relaxation techniques.

And besides stress management, video games could be an overlooked tool in tackling loneliness. For instance, Stardew Valley recently introduced a co-op mode, allowing players from across the world to connect with one another anywhere at any time.

"The social side of games is often entirely overlooked," says Barr. "They are not solitary endeavours - now, more than ever, people play together, online. This provides an opportunity for folks who maybe aren't the most socially outgoing, to connect with a community of like-minded individuals and avoid feeling lonely."

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Find your own rhythm

There is no doubt that some games can be incredibly immersive, especially when you're playing something that you enjoy. The ability to interact and possibly create our own narratives draws us into the activity, acting as a form of escapism for many people.

"Many players experience what is known as 'flow' when they play games. This is a psychological state, identified by psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, where you are entirely focused on - and energised by - the task at hand. You're totally 'in the zone' and everything just clicks," explains Barr.

"Games are designed to induce a flow state - which is, after all, intensely pleasurable; they are also believed to cause dopamine to be released in the brain."

McDermott agrees: "There is evidence that gaming can improve mental health. One of the most well-known is how Tetris can stop the formation of flashbacks - for example, reducing PTSD in war veterans; in fact, even stopping it from happening."

In theory, this idea of the 'flow' can be beneficial to our mental health.

Games like 2012's Journey (thatgamecompany) are designed to be played in a single sitting in order to envelop the player fully, helping them to achieve this state. As an artistic game, Journey leaves a lot to the imagination.

"In order to enter a flow state, you must be challenged just enough not to get bored, while never feeling that the challenge is insurmountable," Barr concludes.

Better representation

The stigma surrounding some mental health issues is thankfully starting to disappear. And many forms of media appear to be making an effort to represent conditions such as depression and anxiety in a more accurate and empathetic way than in the past. Some recent video games seem to be following this trend too.

For instance, Celeste (Matt Thorson, 2018) is a platforming game following the journey of a young woman attempting to climb a mountain in order to get over her constant panic attacks and depression. In the end, however, she realises that in order to finish her quest, she needs to accept and be at peace with her emotions rather than fight them.

Another example is Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (Ninja Theory, 2017), which focuses on a protagonist suffering from psychosis. The developers even got to know people suffering from this illness in order to make the representation as accurate as possible.

"That's where the potential lies: in the experiential and interactive nature of games," says Barr. "You can learn a lot by being forced to experience the (game-based) world from the perspective of another person - to be in their shoes."

Video games may have tremendous potential but for now, they won't replace professional help. If you're struggling, make sure to speak with your GP or explore NHS mental health services in your area.