

One out of every four people in the United States deal with mental health issues, which mean that even if those reading this right now don’t deal with a mental illness of some sort, it is a guarantee that they know someone who does, and that’s only counting the people in one country; mental illness is a world-wide condition, so the reader can understand that the numbers are probably far higher. Since the release of Pokémon Go in July of 2016, there have been countless reports spreading across the internet from parents about how helpful the game has been for children with mental health issues, especially those on the autism spectrum. In an article written by Elizabeth W. Barnes for the mental health organization, The Mighty, she is quoted as saying, “His willingness to leave the house was a huge sign, and to me a big deal.”

It has long been known the beneficial effects that exercise can have on mental health. It is known to reduce both physical and mental stress, as well as release endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria; in some cases, exercise can be just as effective in treating depression and anxiety as antidepressants. Exercise also exposes the person to Vitamin D from the sun, which can lessen the likelihood of depressive symptoms, and can boost the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent brain degeneration as the person ages, helping against memory loss and even boosting measurable brain power.

Pokémon Go is not only getting people to leave the house and exercise, though; it is also getting them to interact with others. As social animals, humans need that contact with others in order to function properly. Famously, movies like Castaway, starring Tom Hanks, and books and television programs such as Robinson Crusoe, illustrate excellently the mental effects of isolation on people. Of course, these are extreme examples, but they do show how lack of interpersonal relations can severely damage a person’s mental stability. Due to the nature of the game—the trading card game and the video game—it has always been a catalyst for those interactions, but Pokémon Go, specifically, has caused this phenomenon to explode. What does this mean for those with mental health issues? A major effect of many mental illnesses is the aversion to social contact for one reason or another, be it agoraphobics unable to leave the house, or those with social anxieties not wanting to be around people, or a multitude of other examples. Due to the fact that nearly two full generations of people have lived with and/or grown up with Pokémon in existence, it has become something of a past-time for children and parents alike, which means that, in many cases, the excitement of the game is acting as a facilitator that can overpower the antisocial urges of those with mental health issues, causing people to go out and interact with others. Children who have never had friends are finding themselves not only instantly having something in common with others, but they’re meeting them in situations where they’re doing the exact same thing: Trying to catch Pokémon.

In such a short time, Pokémon Go has spread like wildfire, tackling the obesity epidemic that has plagued an entire generation. However, in addition to that, it is also doing wonders for those with mental health issues. It is not forcing them, but causing them to want to go out and exercise, and it is also causing them to interact with others of all ages and creeds. Whereas, not that long ago Minecraft was the leader in the gaming industry for helping people with mental illnesses, this game has overtaken it and increased its benefits. It is possible that this game is a hallmark of our time, and may have a more positive effect on mental health than anything like it.