When the average person thinks about video games, his or her mind may go in many directions, with the majority of them involving explosions, mushroom-based power-ups or plasma grenades. It’s likely that improving mental health isn’t something that immediately comes to mind. This week, Student Health Services is looking to change that.
The Game On! Mental Health Mini Convention will be held in the Russell House Ballroom from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, and will feature a gaming tournament, an introduction to cosplay and a panel all about video games and mental health.
“Gaming can be like a form of self care,” said Katelyn Hanshaw, the graduate assistant for Mental Health Initiatives.
Hanshaw, who is also involved in the Carolina Gamers Club, believes that gaming can be a way for those who are struggling with issues such as depression or anxiety to find and build communities amongst like-minded people.
“I definitely say if you have issues with going out places or maybe you have social anxiety, when you play an online game you can still have a connection with someone without maybe breaching some of these barriers that you’re having,” Hanshaw said. “It’s a way for you to overcome them in your own way.”
Hanshaw said that Game On! was inspired by other small conventions and will feature gaming stations with a wide range of multiplayer games that can be played in a tournament or just casually with other attendees. The games present will include everything from Mario Kart 8 on the Nintendo Switch, to puzzle games, rhythm games and even a hand-built tabletop arcade with over 400 games.
“So if there’s a certain game that you go ‘I grew up playing this game,’ it’s probably on there,” Hanshaw said.
There will be a panel featuring two representatives from the University of South Carolina psychology department, the president of Carolina Gamers Club and a representative from the local Columbia anime convention NashiCon.
“They are all going to be talking and answering questions about mental health, cosplay and gaming, then also getting rid of some of the misconceptions behind these activities,” Hanshaw said.
These misconceptions surrounding video games are once again highly relevant following the shooting in Parkland, Florida, as Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin laid part of the blame on video games. Additionally, President Trump might be meeting with leaders in the gaming industry to discuss the topic of violence. With Game On!, the hope is that people will come out to listen and talk to the professors and other professionals at the event about these topics.
“The only way to dispel myths or to get answers is to come,” said April Scott, the associate director of Campus Mental Health Initiatives.
Prizes in the form of gaming and Amazon gift cards will be given out to the winner of the Mario Kart 8 tournament as well as someone who attends all three events: the panel, cosplay introduction and the gaming tournament.
This is the first formal Student Health Services event that either Hanshaw or Scott can remember where gaming and cosplay has been used in conjunction with topics of mental health, but it’s something that they are interested in pursuing in the future if the demand is there.
“It’s all up to students,” Scott said. “Student response and student demand.”