When you think of role-playing games you may think of Stranger Things and the Upside Down, or the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon of the early 80s. It is not likely that the first thing to come to mind are the mental health benefits of role-playing games. The use of games within therapy and for the improvement of mental health has grown over the past several years. So what are the mental health benefits of building a character and living vicariously as you defeat dragons, discover treasure, or travel to distant lands with fellow explorers?

Role-playing games have been around since the early 1910s with a huge increase in popularity following the birth of Dungeons and Dragons in 1974. The limit of reach for tabletop role-playing games(TTRPG) is only confined to the imagination of the individuals playing the game. 

How Role-Playing Games Enhance Thinking and Cooperation

When looking at therapeutic opportunities for use of TTRPGs the benefits of exploring this as an intervention are becoming more and more researched. One benefit is increased cognitive development surrounding decision-making, problem-solving, and working with others in cooperation to complete the quest. 

The psychological benefits include stress relief, improved mood and even enhanced self-esteem. As their character and party achieve the goals and solve the problems they encounter, they gain the sense of accomplishment. The use of therapeutic TTRPGs within group or individual therapy sessions provides for the understanding of various interventions and allows skill building in the player through the game where the character, created by the player, gets to practice the skills. 

Building Social Skills and Self-Exploration in RPG Therapy

Another area of benefit to the TTRPG group is the social skills that are built surrounding the required interaction of the party members in achieving the goal or exploring the world that is created by the game master(GM). Each member of the group creates their own character which they want to play as in-game. The creation of this character allows for the exploration of different aspects of self they may want to explore. It also allows for some separation between the player and the character. The separation of the player from the character allows for a slight disconnect and the ability to explore various thoughts or feelings or behaviors without any repercussions for the player. The character is the one doing or saying the action rather than the player. 

Expressing Yourself and Finding Support Through TTRPGs

The opportunities for TTRPG groups and even individually within therapy sessions provides for the ability to connect with players within their own area of interest as well as being able to explore difficult topics more openly due to the disconnect between player and character. The avenue of TTRPGs allows for a fun and safe way for players to tell their story the way they want to tell it.

If you or your adolescents are interested in exploring how role-playing games could improve your mental health then please follow our social media pages for the announcement of upcoming groups for social skills development using role-playing games. If you are ready to become a client of The Mental Wellness Center, Inc. please click the button below.

Stay tuned and keep an eye on our website—our exciting gaming group launches this January! Don't miss out on the action.