Mental health is a crucial aspect of our overall wellbeing, and it is essential that we prioritize our mental health, particularly in communities where resources are limited. Unfortunately, in many communities of color around the world, mental health resources are scarce, and individuals may not receive the care and support they need.
Peniel Learning Experience is a nonprofit organization that aims to address this issue by connecting the community of Middelburg in South Africa with professionals at William James College in Boston. Together, Peniel and William James College are working to assess the mental health needs of the community in Middelburg and develop strategies and interventions that are tailored to those needs.
One of the challenges in addressing mental health in communities of color is the stigma that is often associated with mental health issues. This stigma can prevent individuals from seeking the help they need and can create misunderstandings about mental health. To address this challenge, William James College aims to empower the community by training and equipping them with mental health strategies that do not necessarily require professional help. By doing so, the community will have a vocabulary that is meaningful and can help break down the barriers associated with mental health stigma.
Peniel is also partnering with organizations like the Rotary Club of Middelburg to help scaffold their efforts within the community. The Rotary Club is a global network of community volunteers that work to make a difference in their communities. By partnering with the Rotary Club, Peniel is able to leverage the expertise and resources of a well-established organization to provide additional support to the community.
As active data capturers, Peniel is able to see the truth of individual stories and experiences related to mental health in the community of Middelburg. Through these stories, Peniel is able to shed light on the impact of mental health on individuals’ lives, particularly youth who are often open and honest about their experiences. By sharing these stories with professionals at William James College, Peniel is working to create a better understanding of the mental health needs of the community in Middelburg. This understanding will inform the development of strategies and interventions that are tailored to the specific needs of the community.
Mental health is a critical aspect of our overall wellbeing, and it is essential that we prioritize mental health in communities where resources are limited. By working together, organizations like Peniel Learning Experience and William James College can provide much-needed mental health resources and support to individuals in need. By listening to individual stories and experiences related to mental health, we can create a better understanding of the needs of communities and work towards developing interventions that are tailored to those needs.
As we continue to explore innovative approaches to improving mental health and wellbeing, the benefits of gaming are becoming increasingly apparent. In addition to virtual reality games, there are other ways that games have been found to have a positive impact on mental health. For instance, games that involve problem-solving and decision-making can help improve cognitive function and memory. Games that encourage social interaction and teamwork can also help foster social connections and improve social skills, which can be beneficial for individuals with social anxiety or depression. Furthermore, games that have a positive, uplifting storyline or message can help improve mood and reduce stress levels.
Dr. Hyerim Cho is a researcher at the University of Missouri who has been studying the benefits of gaming on mental health and wellbeing. Her research has shown that playing games can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and can even improve cognitive function. In fact, for a recent Zoom call, we were encouraged to learn from her research and understand the motivations that gamers employ as it relates to their mental health and feeling “better.” One of the ways that gaming can be used as a therapeutic tool is through virtual reality. Virtual reality games can provide patients with an immersive experience that can help distract them from their pain or discomfort. For example, virtual reality games have been used to help patients undergoing chemotherapy by providing a relaxing and calming distraction during treatment. Overall, gaming has the potential to provide a range of benefits for mental health and wellbeing, and we look forward to continued research and innovation in this area.
