Irish esports organization Nativz Gaming has just unveiled an exciting new partnership with Play Aid, as they prepare for the 2024/25 Ireland Esports Collegiate Series in honor of World Mental Health Day 2024. This transformational collaboration signifies a robust commitment to enhancing the mental health support network for Irish esports students while tackling the pressing social challenges surrounding mental wellness.
In their official statement, Nativz emphasized that this initiative is crucial for our community, highlighting how all student representatives will undergo comprehensive training in psychological first aid. This approach integrates critical mental health support within local esports clubs, marrying both performance and wellbeing in the competitive gaming landscape.
Play Aid, an international non-profit organization powered by the global men’s health charity Movember, brings invaluable expertise to this endeavor. One of the standout components of this partnership is the development of a network of qualified Player Care Coaches, who will receive specialized training in psychological first aid. This no-cost course, open to anyone aged 16 and older, is designed to provide essential insights into mental health disorders, recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness, and facilitating open discussions about mental health with peers.
Accessible online, this important training program also hosts a series of engaging in-person workshops across the UK, Ireland, and Australia. The Nativz Gaming management team has recently completed this psychological first aid course, and the spotlight now turns to equipping student representatives throughout Ireland before the Winter Series kicks off today, October 7, 2024. It’s all happening just in time for the impactful World Mental Health Day on October 10.
“Our player care coaching program provides an essential foundation for helping people in crisis,” stated Dr. John P. Mills, a recognized psychologist with the British Psychological Society and founder of Play Aid. “Just as sports teams need a first responder for physical injuries, we aim for esports teams to have player assistance coaches to support teammates experiencing psychological distress.”
Additionally, Dr. Mills emphasized the need for support for young people, saying, “We know that young people in particular are less likely to ask for help, and by training student representatives, we integrate psychological support within youth-centric environments, ensuring that assistance is readily available when they need it most.”
Nativz Social and Content Manager Sammy Davies, a passionate advocate for mental health in esports who played a pivotal role in initiating this partnership, shared, “After completing my training session with Play Aid, I feel much more confident in my ability to provide assistance to those in need. The Play Aid team has already made a significant impact worldwide, improving mental health in the esports space. I am excited that this partnership will help them further their mission in Ireland.”
Further emphasizing the commitment to mental health in esports, Kurt Pittman, founder and CEO of Nativz Gaming, remarked, “Nativz Gaming is dedicated to providing our esports athletes with the resources necessary to thrive both in gaming and in life. Our partnership with Play Aid reflects our unwavering commitment to creating a healthy and balanced community within the esports arena. By collaborating with Play Aid, we are ensuring our students have access to essential mental health support right where they are.”
Supported by Movember, Play Aid is reshaping the landscape of mental health support, particularly in male-dominated environments like esports, where such initiatives are critically needed.
As part of this effort, it’s important to acknowledge some staggering statistics about men’s mental health. In the UK alone, over 4,300 lives are lost to suicide each year, with an alarming three out of four cases being men. For men aged 20-34 in England and Wales, suicide stands as the leading cause of death. Movember aims to curb the number of men taking their own lives by a remarkable 25% by sharing vital facts and promoting positive behavior change.
Equally compelling are the statistics relating to mental health and gaming, revealing that 71% of European gamers view video games as a valuable stress reliever. Moreover, 55% find games to be an effective means to combat social isolation, with 64% turning to gaming to navigate daily challenges. Creative stimulation is also a notable benefit, with 73% believing that gaming enhances creativity, while 66% say it sharpens their problem-solving skills and 68% report improvements in cognitive function.
For more information on this groundbreaking collaboration and to explore mental health resources, visit the Play Aid website.
