Roll for Connection: How TTRPGs can positively impact mental health

How does collaborative storytelling contribute to positive mental health? We unpack the mental health benefits of TTRPGs with charity ambassador and dungeon master Jamie Naden.

There’s more to TTRPGs than an evening of entertainment. At a time when loneliness and social isolation are affecting wellbeing on a global scale, tabletop role-play heals hurts, builds relationships, and helps players find their confidence.

Social connection and belonging

Sometimes we play solo; sometimes we play together – each has its own benefits. Taking time for yourself to switch off and relax is important for your mental health, but studies also show that social connection can lead to better health and a longer life. Where better to find community and connection than at the table?

Through tabletop role-play, you can find new friendships or strengthen existing ones. You can improve your communication and decision-making skills, practice solving problems alongside others, express yourself, and find a sense of community quite unlike anything else.

“Active listening is the secret sauce to the best tabletop games during role-play. Feeling truly heard, considered and giving someone a spotlight to not only express but also be heard and reacted to, there’s nothing more engrossing in any kind of game.” – Jamie

Whether you’re investigating a mystery, going into battle, or having a great time quaffing make-believe ale and tearing up the town with your party, TTRPG provides a space where people can feel accepted, included, and valued.

“Collaborative storytelling is never done alone. Before any feelings of acceptance, inclusion, or sense of value within the story being told, there needs to be a sense of safety. That safety starts with consent from all parties, discussing boundaries, and everyone knowing the kind of adventure they are embarking on together.” – Jamie

Exploring inner truths through role-play

Role-play can give TTRPG players a unique way to explore parts of themselves through the character they play. Much like we can often see ourselves in the characters we play in video games, TTRPGs can reflect inner truths about ourselves – only there’s more control and opportunity for deeper exploration and customisation.

Playing as someone else can open up opportunities to experiment with emotions, make different choices, form relationships they wouldn’t usually explore, and respond to challenges without the same pressure as you’d feel in a real-life situation. You’re free to fail, reinvent yourself, and learn something new in the process.

“Role-play has allowed me to express myself in ways I’ve not done outside of Dungeons & Dragons. Unpacking the trauma that loss brings, the shame of feeling like a failure, the want to express love, joy, anger, insecurity, anxiety, and the elation at that sense of expression, is so incredibly freeing.” – Jamie

Role-play can also encourage empathy and help you adopt a new perspective. Playing someone with different motivations and life experiences encourages the player to imagine why that character might think or feel differently. Empathy is vital to improving mental health awareness and ending stigma, and a skill that shouldn’t be undervalued.

An exercise in confidence

TTRPGs provide a fictional setting where players can experiment with behaviours and decisions in a relatively low-stakes environment. This can help players build confidence when thinking on their feet, and over time, they may feel more comfortable speaking up and participating socially.

Successfully overcoming obstacles as a party feels good. Players who make space for everyone to contribute ideas and work together to reach a solution create an environment of acceptance – where everyone feels heard and valued.

“Players new and old can come alive when given the permission to feel at the table. A new player to my table changed entirely when asked in character, “How does it feel as you feel your chance at success slipping away, and what would you give, what would you sacrifice instead to succeed. When given the permission to feel like their choice held weight, that action would have consequence, a person who typically was seen to be distant, disconnected from the party, using humour a lot in the face of anything, became incredibly grounded and rooted in the present moment, totally immersed.” – Jamie

Join us at the table

We’re thrilled to share the news that Jamie Naden will be hosting an extra-special livestreamed one-shot D&D campaign on October 17th, to raise funds for Safe In Our World. The party will feature much-loved voices from across the games industry, including voice actors from Baldur’s Gate 3, The Witcher, and more.

You’ll be able to influence the story as it plays out in real time by donating to unlock events and engaging in Tiltify polls. The campaign is sponsored by Jagex, Dwarven Forge, and Iron Shield Army, not to mention a number of sponsors who’ve provided prizes and incentives (we’ll reveal more soon).

“This story is based on the first D&D game I ever ran, elevated to new heights. I’m incredibly excited and honestly a little anxious about sharing it! I’m incredibly thankful for the belief and support shown by the entire team involved in bringing this game to life and to every single organisation that’s worked with us, to help shine a spotlight on the importance of mental health.” – Jamie

If you’re heading to London Comic Con in October, pop along to our panel with Jamie Naden, discussing The Power of Play: How Role-playing Games Promote Positive Wellbeing. We’ll dive deeper into this topic with Jamie and a bunch of other amazing guests, hosted by our Head of Programmes, Sky Tunley-Stainton.