Understanding Young Men’s Mental Health in Gaming and Esports, Where the Conversations Are Already Happening
Background:
Young men do not always talk openly about their mental health or seek support through traditional mental health services. However, conversations about mental health, vulnerability, identity and support are already taking place in the digital spaces where many young men spend their time, including gaming and esports communities.
In collaboration with Movember, the Digital Minds research team is investigating young men’s mental health within these spaces. By examining both real-world online conversations and large-scale longitudinal data, the project seeks to better understand how digital environments intersect with young men’s mental health and development.
Aims:
The project aims to understand how young men experience and discuss masculinity, mental health, vulnerability, help-seeking, belonging and support within gaming and other online communities.
Rather than simply classifying digital spaces as “positive” or “negative”, we aim to identify the kinds of conversations and experiences that may encourage connection, emotional openness and support, as well as those that may discourage vulnerability or help-seeking. Ultimately, the project seeks to translate these insights into evidence that can inform more relevant and effective approaches to supporting young men’s mental health.Meeting young men where the conversations are already happening, in gaming, esports and digital communities.
Project significance:
Gaming and esports are important social spaces for many young men, yet their role in mental health conversations remains poorly understood. By analysing naturally occurring online discussions alongside large-scale longitudinal data, this project provides a unique opportunity to understand young men’s experiences beyond traditional surveys and clinical settings.
Working in collaboration with Movember, we aim to identify how digital communities can both support and constrain conversations about mental health, vulnerability and help-seeking. These insights can help inform mental health initiatives that are more responsive to the ways young men communicate, connect and seek support in their everyday digital lives.
