How online gaming helped me feel 'a sense of community and support'

Gaming is one of the most popular ways for people to unwind and entertain themselves.

While previous studies have suggested an association between excessive gaming and depression, newer research suggests that online gaming actually has positive effects, with a recent one in particular focusing on social connectivity and support.

The study, conducted by Tyler Prochnow, PhD, and Megan Patterson, PhD, along with their colleagues from Texas A&M University School of Public Health, the University of North Carolina, and Baylor University, shed light on the significance of social connectivity and support for online gamers.

“We wanted to showcase the community building and informal relationships built through these online settings,” Prochnow said.

“Many people feel a sense of community, support and comfort through online gaming, and I think we need to do a better job measuring these connections and fostering them to improve mental health in today's digital age.”

The study focused on the evolving social structure within an online game and its impact on players' social support, sense of community, and depressive symptoms. Its findings revealed that participants with higher levels of offline social support were more likely to engage with other players.

Furthermore, communication between different groups of players facilitated the formation of connections, and investing more time in the gaming platform strengthened social ties among players. As a result, players who spent more time together felt more comfortable discussing real-life issues.

However, the study also found that participants who had more pronounced depressive symptoms were less likely to initiate communication ties as time went on.

This highlights the significance of offering extra support, such as telehealth mental health care options, for individuals dealing with depression within the gaming community.

The study's findings personally hit close to home, with one incident standing out in my memory. I used to play a popular MMO (massively multiplayer online game) and was part of a guild, where a fellow guild member who had recently met the level and power requirements seemed like any other active player participating in guild chats.

However, one evening, they reached out to me privately, opening up about their real-life issues, such as relationship troubles, work pressure, and homesickness from being away from their home country.

After listening to them, offering comforting words and advice, the guild member went offline for a long time, despite promising to participate in a guild war that Sunday.

Several days later, one of their real-life friends who also played the game approached us and informed us that the guild member had attempted to take their own life.

Many guild officers sent private messages to the player, expressing support and assuring them that they were not alone. During the player's recovery, we continued sending our wishes through their real-life friend who was also in the guild.

Eventually, the player recovered and expressed gratitude. They seemed to have followed our advice to seek professional help. Months later, we learnt that the said player was happily in a new relationship and doing well at work. They were also maintaining better contact with their family to combat homesickness.

I’ve also met lifelong friends locally and internationally through online gaming. Although I haven’t met some of them in real life because of geographical distance, I’ve kept a handful of friends close.

One of my best friends in real life is someone I met through an MMO during college, where we discovered that we attended the same school. More than a decade later, we are still best friends, maintaining connections in different games but, most importantly, in real life.

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, my friends from Korea, Australia, and New Zealand became a vital support network. We would chat online, play games together, or simply spend time on Discord to alleviate the uneasiness caused by being confined at home.

However, it is important to note that not all gaming experiences are positive. The nature of the game or online community greatly influences the outcome.

Some games, particularly MOBAs (multiplayer online battle arena) like League of Legends and Dota 2, lack the opportunities to make friends and can even foster toxic behaviour among players. Nevertheless, joining Discord communities to look for players of the same mindset can provide a better option for individuals who enjoy this genre.

Another potential negative effect is when gaming takes over real life. While gaming can be a form of escape, and online gaming communities can help a person, studies have shown that too much escapism from gaming is linked to depression as well.

Knowing the potential positive effects of online gaming communities, what can we do?

You never know what someone else is going through, so always choose to show respect, offer kind words, and lend a hand when possible. Your words can profoundly impact someone from the other side of the screen.

Given the potential positive effects of online gaming communities, what can individuals do? The most important thing to remember is that it's important to be kind.

While it’s important to be kind, also remember not to carry all of their burdens. This will protect you from predators and scammers by opening yourself up too much without setting boundaries. Oftentimes, the most you can do is listen and be there for someone who might be struggling.

However, if you recognise someone who seems to be more isolated and struggling, encourage them to connect outside and seek professional help. You can only do so much for someone online, so directing them to online professional mental health support groups would be the next best thing.

Some of these professional groups can be found on Discord like It All Starts Hear, an online group that "believes in taking a community-based preventative approach to Mental well-being, encouraging at-risk or struggling Singaporeans to open up about their pain in an informal space."

You can also seek help through other means online, like Limitless Singapore and the Huddleverse server on Discord.

If you believe that you or a friend are in need of an immediate lifeline, you can also contact the Please Stay Movement.

Anna is a freelance writer and photographer. She is a gamer who loves RPGs and platformers, and is a League of Legends geek. She's also a food enthusiast who loves a good cup of black coffee.

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