Gaming
Gaming can be a great way to support your mental health.
Like reading a book or going for a walk, it can help you relax, switch off, and take a break from daily stresses. It also has plenty of positives—like learning new skills, problem-solving, and staying connected with friends and family.
But if gaming starts to take up more of your time than you’d like or begins to affect other parts of your life, it might be worth checking in with yourself and your habits.
We’ve gathered resources to help you find balance, so you can keep enjoying gaming in a way that works for your wellbeing.
Let us know what resource works well for you. If you have any other suggestions for our self-help pages, please email ithrive@health-in-mind.org.uk
Factsheets
Discover how gaming can positively impact your mental health and provide valuable support for your overall wellbeing.
Gaming and mental health from Young Minds
Gamers use Animal Crossing and Pokémon for mental health from BBC News
Streaming and gaming for Mind – your wellbeing from Mind
Why gaming is better for your mental health than you might think from Barnardos
Tips and information
If gaming starts to negatively impact your life, these resources offer practical tips and support to help you manage.
Gaming advice from Internet Matters
Level up: Managing your gaming habbits from the BBC
Gaming: What parents need to know from CEOP
Organisations and services
Here is a list of national organisations related to gaming:
Services
If you are looking for local support, please go to our service directory to find out what services and projects are available to you.