Does Gaming Affect Mental Health?

Video games can be a contentious topic. There are the people who love them, and those that don’t — or simply can’t understand the appeal. And then there are the stories we hear in the media about gaming addiction, social isolation, and a growing concern for the way gaming seems to lead to a whole range of mental health challenges. So, what do we think? Does gaming affect our mental health? Perhaps it’s not quite so black and white. Today we’re chatting with Jacob, a life-long gamer, who shares how gaming has affected his mental health — both negatively and for the better. Jacob now runs a ministry seeking to reach one of the groups least represented in the church—gamers—and build off their existing hobbies and interests, providing positive opportunities for social interaction and inviting gamers into spaces where they might also encounter Jesus. We’ll hear Jacob’s journey and discuss the bigger picture of gaming, as well as what we might need to watch out for in this space as Christians. We’ll also be joined by a familiar voice, Maddy from our team—who’s an outsider to the world of gaming—to give our conversation a range of different experiences. Jacob started a non-profit called The Big LAN for gamers in Australia to come together, meet like-minded people, and form long-term friendships. The Big LAN is a Melbourne-based community and currently the largest LAN event in Australia. To check it out, click here. -- Through this podcast and our other resources, our heart here at Anxious Faith is to spark conversation and tackle the taboos around mental health in our churches and faith communities. Will you help us do that? We’d be grateful if you would consider supporting us, whether through prayer, sharing our resources in your circles, or contributing towards our ministry costs. We’d also love to connect with you on socials, where you can join the community, check out our other resources and see behind the scenes content from our team.