How Board Games Can Improve Mental Health

Board games have mental health benefits. Spencer gets personal and talks about his struggle with mental illness and how board games helped him and others get through some dark times.
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Producers:
Jordan DeKleer
Joe Comings
Spencer and Lara Williams
Zack Brasfield
Brandon Scotland
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[@kayhcole]

Thanks for this! I've been going down a rabbit hole of You Tube videos about gaming and mental health. At my job, (assistant teacher) I have a group of second grade boys on the spectrum and we have an hour session a week called Games with Ms Kay, learning social skills by playing games. My goals are teaching them to take turns, lose gracefully and that the fun of games is playing with friends, NOT winning. So many benefits to gaming! Thank you for sharing your story. In a funny coincidence, I asked my son to get me Bottom of the 9th for Christmas!

[@adriansandoval1366]

That is a great story, thank you very much for sharing. I do suffer from anxiety and I learned a while ago to go and get help if it gets unmanageable. I would add something to your list of benefits. Board Games help you set achievable goals while having fun. We all need to remember we can be successful and have fun when in dark times. Thanks again and regards from Mexico.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

Thank you for sharing too, Adrian. I like the benefit you bring up. Very true!

[@dmillar71]

Thank you so much for sharing your personal experiences and journey, I'm sure that was hard to do. Eliminating the stigma for mental health will go a long way for getting the millions that suffer from it, help.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

Agreed.

[@alejandrodemontez1322]

Dang Spencer, I thought all those issues were just part of being a Williams!! Stay strong brother.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

Thank you for watching!

[@aronalber9107]

Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing this. A lot of us go through emotional weather that we can't control and don't understand. It can be very scary and lonely. Board games definitely helped me to feel more present and connect with others after one of these periods.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

Thank you for sharing, A. Alber. I'm glad to hear board games helped you too!

[@steveorourke8959]

Wonderful and wise, Spencer. Hopeful and humane. Peaceful and positive. I am grateful for this and all you are doing to shine light.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

Steve O'Rourke Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. It means a lot.

[@carlwadley1175]

Incredibly brave of you to share your story but thank you so much for doing so. After experiencing months of crippling panic attacks (with no obvious trigger), I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I have never had issues in the past so it was both scary and frustrating to not be in control of my body or my mind. Playing games, (both board and console) helped me to relax, to escape 'real-life' with its pressures and restrictions imposed by Covid. Whether by myself or with my partner it was a sanctuary that I couldn't be more grateful for. Watching channels like yours also help greatly, especially when they convey such a strong message and ultimately remind people that they are not alone and that talking is ALWAYS the best thing to do! Keep up the good work and thanks again for 'lightening up' our life.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

Thank you for sharing, Carl! This means a lot to me. I'm so thankful to hear that my story has meant something to the viewers. Thanks for watching, and I wish you the best!

[@havierock]

Thanks for sharing your story. Sometimes the Internet is so dark that it is a shine of light to watch someone speaks so real and humble. Thanks for this wonderful project. Cheers from Barcelona, Spain.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

Thank you for watching, Javier!

[@WendyGa]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Being aware of mental health issues and getting help are so important. My son has struggled with those issues for the past 3 years. Boardgames help. We still struggle with the getting help part. I really appreciate you putting your story out there for others to learn from.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

I'm glad to share. Thank you so much for watching.

[@BoardGameGran]

You've no idea how much this has helped me today. I had a terrible experience on Twitter a couple of days ago. It completely brought up my anxiety and depression. I'm not sleeping, I'm feeling down, it's just affected me in ways even my medication doesn't fix. Ironically, this came from two board gamers. They didn't care about me, they were just hammering away on their keys, schooling me and, probably proud they had. It's so nice of you to share your story and positivity around board games. It's all I ever want to do too, I love this hobby and the people in it. We just need to remember people have lives away from gaming and to treat everyone with kindness and compassion, just like you did during your stay. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

I hope you are doing okay. Twitter is full of jerks and can be a crummy place. In fact, seeing negative interactions in the board gaming community on Twitter is one of the reasons I started Lighten Up. I'm so glad to hear this video helped.

[@steveorourke8959]

Sadly, the negative emotions and voices seem to take up more space than the positive ones. They demand attention and pull us down with them. Reach out. Others are here with support and admiration. And they use their keyboards in service of community and with love toward others. People can be the worst, Board Game Gran. Fortunately, people can also be the best.

[@keithrubadue5101]

Thank you for sharing this. I am quite sure you story and experience, and especially your openness, will help others. MWBG was my favorite podcast, and I have enjoyed the Lighten Up Initiative activities you have been doing as well.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

Thanks for being a fan, Keith. I appreciate it!

[@reftomgreen82]

Inspirational. Kudos to you for sharing your story.

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

Thanks for watching, Tom!

[@c7hu1hu66]

Thank you so much for sharing ❤️

[@TheLightenUpInitiative]

Happy to share. Thanks for watching!