RPG Evolution: Mental Health Tips for Game Designers

Mental Health Awareness month is a good reminder that we can all use a little help sometimes.

We've discussed the importance of mental health before, both in how gaming helps and how gamers need help. Mental Health Awareness month is a good reminder that game designers and freelancers can use a little help sometimes.

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Graphic courtesy of the National Alliance of Mental Illnesses.

Mental Health Awareness Month began in the United States in 1949 and was started by the Mental Health America (MHA) organization. Each May, the organization explores a different theme. This year’s theme is “More Than Enough”: that everyone holds value no matter their diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, or ability. The MHA offers several online tests you can take to check in on yourself.

There’s help online too. The Association of Illustrators, in partnership with Society of Authors and Association of Photographers has released an updated version of a guide titled Working Well: Good Mental Health and Creative Freelancers. It's a great guide for anyone who works remotely, including game designers and tabletop role-playing game freelaners. It's divided into several sections, each addressing a mental health challenge faced by creative freelancers and tips on how to deal with it.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek help immediately. The Committee for the Advanced of Role-Playing Games has a page with more info.

Money​

The stress on game designers who often don’t have savings, retirement funds, or even health insurance is unfortunately common.

The Roleplaying Game Creators Relief Fund (RCRF) was founded to provide financial assistance to tabletop roleplaying game creators suffering hardship due to medical emergencies, natural disasters, and other catastrophic situations. If you know someone who might benefit, send them to the application form.

Impostor Syndrome​

It’s not uncommon for creatives to experience Impostor Syndrome, that feeling that their profession isn’t legitimate somehow. For game designers, an industry that is traditionally underpaid even in the creative field, this can be even harder. Worse, tabletop games are still not accepted in some corners of society, forcing gamers to not mention their work, including leaving it off their resume.

The Working Well guide recommends an impartial means of measuring your success that’s not dependent on your mood, and recording your successes in a journal to bolster you during times of doubt. It also recommends networking with friends and family to act as a cheering squad when you’re feeling down.

Rejection​

Game designers face rejection not just in completing their work and getting it before the public, but in the relentless criticism that creative work entails. That includes reviews.

The guide recommends keeping professional boundaries, and that includes knowing when to engage with your brand and when to avoid it if you’re not feeling up to taking criticism. It also recommends joining a peer group to vent in a safe space.

Social Media​

Being active on social media is critical for gamers who want to find their audience. The owners of the Dungeons & Dragons brand have struggled to find a single home for that community, so any game designer will likely have to participate in multiple platforms. But those communities are often unmoderated, which means they unfortunately may be toxic.

The guide makes a point of differentiating between your personal and public life, which is sometimes difficult for game designers who consider their game as much a hobby as a business. Having a systematic approach to social media helps. So does having supportive fans.

Working Alone​

The pandemic made it difficult for people to game together in person, and many loose social ties snapped when gamers had to make a choice between health and fun. This can have devastating consequences for players who rely on gaming as their primary social outlet.

The Working Well guide recommends networking, which in gamer terms often means playing with others. That fortunately can be online, but just being outside helps too.

Take Care of Yourself​

The topics highlighted above are just a few of the many topics covered in the Working Well guide. The theme of “More Than Enough” is a good reminder to show up, just as we are, for ourselves and each other.
 

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Michael Tresca

Michael Tresca

aco175

Legend

Social Media​

Being active on social media is critical for gamers who want to find their audience. The owners of the Dungeons & Dragons brand have struggled to find a single home for that community, so any game designer will likely have to participate in multiple platforms. But those communities are often unmoderated, which means they unfortunately be toxic.
The two-handed bastard sword of gaming. One cannot get the exposure they need unless they do social media, but then all the sucky people poop on them to make people feel worse.
 



I think the more open and honest conversation we have about mental health the better.

Everytime I think about doing more self publishing in the hobby I think about social media and just don't.

I also need to be better about staying positive I'm sure I've done my fair share of damage with offhand negativity.
 

aramis erak

Legend
As a former employee of a state affiliate of MHA, and as a person with multiple diagnoses...

I concur that talking about it more is important.
A good friend of mine is an incredible musician. The need to market yourself, particularly in a social media space, drove him out of it. The struggle is real. :(
As someone who majored in vocal performance, the academic music field is damned cutthroat. Friends who worked in the music industry report it to be even worse than academic music.
 

I don't game (or any other of my hobbies) with people who have mental health issues.

Seems a simple solution. I spent my working life dealing with the mentally ill, so I'm not doing it on my personal time.
 
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MemphisMcgrath

First Post
It's interesting to see how mental health considerations are evolving in RPG design. Your approach of keeping personal and professional boundaries makes a lot of sense! On a slightly related note, have you ever come across discussions about accommodating various needs in gaming, like considering bpd symptoms? Just curious about your thoughts on that aspect!
 
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