While doing research for my bibliography entries, I realized how the episode “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons” from the sitcom Community directly relates to what I am researching about: games helping those facing depression. Neil had to deal with the depression from everyone calling him “Fat Neil” due to Jeff and was even on the verge of killing himself. To prevent this, Jeff and the other main Community cast members decide to play a game, Dungeons & Dragons. In theory, Dungeons and Dragons could have been replaced with anything that Fat Neil enjoyed doing. The fact that a game was chosen proves that there is some merit in claiming that there are mental benefits to playing games. What Fat Neil experienced and what most people with depression experiences is the lack of meaning to continue living. They think that the things they enjoy are too insignificant or not enough to warrant the continued suffering that they experience in their lives. That is why games like Dungeons and Dragons can be very helpful to those people. Games can provide the players a sense of accomplishment, support, and community. They can make people either once again feel like they have meaning in life or provides them a form of entertainment they deem as “willing to die for” (pun intended).
Although this is where an “addiction” could arise, it is not a guarantee and a choice by the player. Returning back to the game may be inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be an hourly or even daily task. It can be like what Fat Neil wanted: a weekly or bi-weekly event. Regardless, if it convinces the depressed child to continue living, better alive and addicted than dead.
