Mental health is much more than just a trend topic for GameStar, GamePro, and MeinMMO. Find out why this topic is so important to us, what we are planning in May, and where you can find help.
In 2024, 17 percent of all adults in Germany officially received a depression diagnosis. In the same year, mental illnesses were responsible for nearly 19% of hospital treatments for 10 to 19-year-olds. One in five people experiences at least one depressive episode in their lifetime.
Despite this emergency, we are currently witnessing troubling developments at the political level, such as fee reductions for outpatient psychotherapy services, which could once again drastically exacerbate the already long waiting times for therapy spots.
Not only, but also thanks to these distressing developments, we take the Mental Health Awareness Month in May as an opportunity to once again raise awareness of mental health on GameStar, GamePro, and Mein MMO. We aim to help reduce stigmas and show where video games and technology can provide valuable assistance: to better understand one’s own problems or those of others or perhaps even to find new ways to cope better with psychological challenges.
Why mental health is so important to us
The topic of mental health is for us much more than just a journalistic mission – it is very personal. Many of our colleagues in the editorial teams have their own experiences with mental health issues or are familiar with the hurdles and prejudices from their close environment.
That’s why we don’t only address these topics on action days. Whether we report on video games, technology, films, series, or books: Mental health, accessibility, and diversity are a continuous part of our articles throughout the year and a heartfelt issue for us. It is important to us to provide long-term education, reduce anxieties, and show others affected: You are not alone.
What we are planning for you in May
Nevertheless, we consciously use the global action month in May to give mental health even more space. In the coming weeks, we will update and republish important, already existing articles so that new readers can also discover them.
At the same time, we are working on new content and recommendations that we want to share with you – of course, all related to video games, entertainment, and technology, as you know from us.
Let’s take care of each other: Here you can find help
Our commitment to creating a safe environment does not end with our articles or videos. Even at Webedia, we continuously work to maintain an inclusive work environment for our teams. This specifically includes providing our employees with special mental health offers to best support them in their professional lives.
The most important thing we want to leave you with is: You are not alone. If you find yourself in a dark phase or feel that the burden is becoming too much, please do not hesitate to seek help.
There are people who can listen and help you. Video games, films, series, and books can contribute or provide important distraction, but they are at most a support and not a solution.
- Contact the German Depression Aid Foundation (at deutsche-depressionshilfe.de or call 0800 / 33 44 533).
- Inform yourself at the German Society for Suicide Prevention at https://www.suizidprophylaxe.de/betroffene-und-angehoerige/.
- For children, adolescents, and their parents/caretakers, there is also anonymous, free, and confidential help at the Number Against Pain (https://www.nummergegenkummer.de/).
- If you are looking for a therapy spot, the Appointment Service of 116117 (116117.de) helps you find initial appointments with therapists with statutory health insurance.
- The portal Therapie.de offers a comprehensive search engine where you can filter specifically by postal code, treatment methods, and available capacities.
Take care of yourselves and each other!
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