In a year where people have suffered financially, lost jobs, lost weddings and lost family members, it has never been more important and imperative to address issues surrounding mental health.
A recent study by Oxford University has shed light on the positive impact that gaming has on mental health in the Middle East. After Twitch reported a 30% rise in Arabic-language users during lockdown, many of these players reported greater “wellbeing” from regular playing.
“This Oxford University research demonstrates that it is often the most unexpected factors impacting mental health and that technology is playing a critical role in wellness across the region,” says Sarmad Ahmad, founder of Bahrain-based mental health platform Saaya Health. “Gaming not only strengthens players’ cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities, but it also offers a social opportunity through online multiplayer modes.
“This has been especially critical during the COVID pandemic, enabling those staying at home to maintain a link to the outside world while building on Minecraft, battling monsters on Fortnite or rooting out enemies in Among Us.
Gamers are also starting to speak out about the effects of playing on mental health. In an exclusive interview with Cosmo ME, Mary Gaming opened up saying, “Not enough people talk about it. Mental health is so important when you’re playing. Some people use gaming as an escape from their lives and it can become addictive. If you’re not taking care of yourself and finding help, you’ll just keep playing and it’s going to affect you and your life more and more. If I stay up long hours not talking to real life people face-to-face, it’s going to be hard for me. It would give me social anxiety. So I also have to make sure I’m taking care of my mental health.”
Click here to read the full interview with Mary Gaming.