D&D General D&D/TTRPG as therapeutic escape

[J-H]

One of my players has been attending by Discord the last couple of weeks. He recently had a terminally ill family member move in with him. That family member went on hospice recently with a very short time left to live. He was late logging on to the game last night after making the drive home from the hospital. I could tell he was exhausted, but he wanted to play anyway... then we reached a natural stopping point a bit early, and he wanted to push on after commenting that he was really appreciating me running the game and it giving him something else to focus on.

I hadn't realized that D&D, in addition to being a social event, was also such a good release/break from 'everything else' going on. When you're playing, you're mostly focused on playing instead of on all the other stuff, kind of like shooting or archery or martial arts.

I am sure I've experienced this personally in the past but I didn't realize it was "a thing" and that the game I'm running is sometimes something that actively helps the mental/emotional health of my players. Humbling, and glad I have the opportunity to minister to them in that way sometimes.

 

[payn]

When the pandemic hit in 2020 I was already going through a divorce. Gaming was a big part of my life up to that point. My RPG group came apart for numerous reasons at the same time and folks obviously where not getting together for board games. Due to all of that, I lost interest in any game for a period of 1-2 years. I just just couldnt muster it and had not been an online gamer up to then.

That was a tough time. In some ways im still climbing out. Though, Im happy to say ive gotten back into a few groups and I have taken a major role in the local Battletech community. I forgot how much joy and energy it brings me. I have found the convenience of online play and tools I might not have otherwise discovered. So, its not all bad, but yeah I think getting back into gaming has done a lot for my overall mental health and well being.

 

[Umbran]

I hadn't realized that D&D, in addition to being a social event, was also such a good release/break from 'everything else' going on.

Any and every social event can be a good release/break from 'everything else'. Anything from going out for drinks on Friday, to having a BBQ, to game nights and gaming sessions - if it is sufficiently friendly and engaging, you're set to help people's quality of life.

 

[Burnside]

I did a podcast a couple of years back where I spoke with two psychotherapists about both the broadly therapeutic value of D&D, and also whether the game could play a role in actual therapeutic practice: Power Word TALk: March 2023