In this blog, our intern Edesiri (Ed) Eyeregba shares how video games boosted his confidence and had a positive impact on his mental well-being, despite his sensory impairments. Learn more about Edesiri in his introductory blog on the HIN website.
Despite common misconceptions, video games can offer much more than just entertainment. A conference organized by the World Health Organization (Europe) explored how video games can improve mental well-being, train medical professionals, and even help people with physical limitations. With more than 2 billion active players worldwide, the game has real potential for have a significant impact on the promotion of health and care.
For example, in 2013 the Department of Health and the NHS teamed up with games company Six to Start to create “The walk‘. The Walk is a mobile gaming app that encourages frequent walking habits. Users must complete a number of steps to successfully complete chapters of the game’s 65 episodes and 800 minutes of audio story. The difficulty of “The Walk” also adapts based on a learning algorithm, ensuring that players of all fitness levels can enjoy the game.
More recently in 2022, a national study funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and carried out by nine NHS Trusts found that automated virtual reality technology can help people recover from mental health issues. Researchers from the University of Oxford and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust have found that automated therapy has been shown to have a positive influence on patients diagnosed with psychosis.
As a visually impaired person, I found gaming to be transformative, especially in times of isolation. Games like Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty, which involve a lot of team activities, have improved my social and communication skills while providing a way to connect with my friends.
While some games have potential mental health benefits, I believe they also prepare individuals for real-world interactions, promoting resilience. Online multiplayer games in particular provide players with a platform that helps them form friendships and build confidence. Games like Minecraft and Roblox provide safe spaces for individuals to socialize and develop essential skills like problem-solving and teamwork.
- Minecraft is a sandbox video game that promotes players’ creativity by allowing them to build their own virtual world. It’s also a great platform for improving social skills, especially for people who struggle with social anxiety. Players can join online servers where they can communicate with players around the world and work together to build different structures. This allows them to communicate effectively, share ideas and work as a team.
- Roblox can help people connect with friends, de-stress, and develop problem-solving skills in a safe online environment. It also allows players to connect and share adventures when they can’t meet face to face. This was very popular during the Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns when people had to stay at home. Players also have the freedom to create their own game with readily available tools, allowing them to enhance their creativity.
Personally, I enjoy playing a wide variety of games, including story-driven games like Last of Us, Horizon Forbidden West, and the Cobra Kai series. Gaming is something I enjoy and it has helped me become a more confident person.
Even though I have a visual impairment, the game makes me feel like I can do anything I want.
In September 2023, Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London and DigitalHealth.London welcomed our first ever NHS Choices College intern, Edesiri (Ed) Eyeregba, an inspiring young man born with a visual impairment. NHS Choices College provides tailored educational support and a supported work placement course for young adults aged 16-24 with learning difficulties/disabilities or autism.
To learn more about Ed and the work he has supported at HIN, please visit https://healthinnovationnetwork.com/insight/cultivating-a-culture-of-inclusion-our-first-intern-edesiri-eyeregba/.
