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This June 10, 2016 by Chloi Rad on the IGN website, talks about efforts being made to raise awareness of mental health issues to gamers. One effort includes working on providing an “AFK Room” (for the non-gamers AFK means “Away From Keyboard” and is often used by gamers when they need to step away from their console or computer briefly or to explain a lack of response to someone who didn’t know they wandered away from their computer or console) In the case of the AFK Rooms, the article indicates that they are meant to be a quiet place staffed by clinicians where attendees at some of the gaming conferences can step away from the noise and chaos they are experiencing. These rooms have been known to help people who were suicidal, as well as those who are having anxiety issues. Take This wants to remind gamers that they are not exempt from ever being in need of mental health support, and want to decrease the stigma among gamers towards those who do need support.
I think I would sum this up as simply saying it is an example of gamers helping gamers since the AFK rooms were created by a well-known game company.
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Filed under: Advocacy and Awareness, Anti-stigma, Awareness, Depression, Gaming Community, Gaming Community, Issues, Men's Issues, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Misc., Stress, Suicide Prevention, suicide prevention, Teen Issues, United States, Whole health, Women's Issues | Tagged: AFK, AFK Rooms, awareness, EA Games, gamers, gamers raising awareness about mental health issues, Games, gaming, Gaming Conferences, IGN, Mental Health, mental health advocacy, mental health advocacy in the gaming community, mental health awareness for gamers, mental health awareness in the gaming community, mental health resource for Gamers, mental health support, Mental Health Support for Gamers, mental wellness, PAX, Take This:, Video game | Comments Off on “Take This: Where Gaming Meets Mental Health”