Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
Irish esports organisation Nativz Gaming have announced a partnership with Play Aid for the 2024/25 Ireland Esports Collegiate Series ahead of World Mental Health Day 2024.
In a press release, Nativz said the collaboration ‘represents a commitment to building mental health support for Irish esports students, while supporting the societal challenges surrounding mental wellbeing’.
All Student Reps will be trained in psychological first aid, embedding mental health support into local esports societies, making it about both performance and wellbeing.
Play Aid is an international non-profit organisation, supported by global men’s health charity Movember.
One of the primary initiatives of this partnership is to establish a network of qualified Player Care Coaches, trained in psychological first aid. The free course is open to all aged 16+ and provides insights into mental health disorders, how to spot signs and symptoms of mental ill health, and how to foster open conversations about mental health with friends and peers. It’s available online but also has a selection of face-to-face workshops in the UK, Ireland and Australia.
As part of the partnership, Nativz Gaming’s leadership team have recently completed psychological first aid training. Now, the focus will shift to training Student Reps across Ireland before the end of the Winter Series, which kicks off today (Monday October 7th 2024). World Mental Health Day 2024 is on Thursday October 10th.
“Our Player Care Coaching Programme provides an essential foundation for helping individuals in crisis,” said Dr John P Mills, British Psychological Society Chartered Psychologist and founder of Play Aid.
“In the same way that sports teams are required to have a first aider to deal with physical injuries, we want esports teams to embed Player Care Coaches to support teammates experiencing psychological distress.”
Dr John P Mills, Play Aid
“We know that young men in particular are less likely to ask for help and by training Student Reps, we’re embedding psychological support in the spaces young men spend their time, so support is there when they need it most.”
“After completing my training session with Play Aid I feel much more confident in my ability to provide care to those who need it,” added Nativz Head of Social and Content, Sammy Davies, who initiated this partnership. “The Play Aid team has already made a significant impact across the globe for the betterment of mental health in the esports space. I’m confident this partnership will aid them in furthering that mission within Ireland.”
Nativz Gaming Founder and CEO Kurt Pittman also commented: “Nativz Gaming is dedicated to providing our esports athletes with the support they need to excel both in the game and in life. Our partnership with Play Aid reflects our commitment to fostering a healthy, balanced community in esports.
“By working with Play Aid we’re ensuring our students have access to crucial mental health support locally.”
Funded by men’s health charity Movember, Play Aid is committed to changing the way men’s mental health support is delivered, particularly in male-dominated spaces like esports.
Related article: Nativz Esports Academy announced, aims to create pathway for student players in Ireland
Men’s health data
- Each year more than 4300 die by suicide in the UK
- Three out of four deaths by suicide in the UK are men
- In England and Wales, suicide in the leading cause of death amongst men aged 20-34
- Movember is committed to reducing the number of men taking their own lives by 25% – they will do this by giving men the facts and changing behaviour for the better
Mental Health and Gaming stats
- 71% of European gamers felt video games serve as a stress reliever
- 55% as a means to combat isolation
- 64% turn to games to help them face everyday challenges
- 73% of European gamers credited their gaming experiences with boosting creativity
- 66% said it refined their problem-solving skills
- 68% said it enhances their cognitive functions
There’s more info on the Play Aid website
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
