#Gameprat gives young men the opportunity to talk about emotions – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio

In his room in Haugesund, 23-year-old Fredrik Engevik is sitting in front of two screens. On one is a computer game, and on the other screen, two boys are sitting on a red sofa playing Super Mario. At the same time, they talk about bad feelings and difficult topics. – I have a new channel where I can talk to people. It’s a little easier to talk there because I do not know them. That does not make it so scary to open up, says the 23-year-old. Fredrik Engevik has already used the offer several times. Photo: Gisle Jørgensen / news #Gameprat has been started by Mental Health Youth. They want to meet boys and young men on a platform they are comfortable with to talk about mental health. Engevik has welcomed the new offer and prioritises following every stream. – I have looked every time, except once when I was at work. I think it’s a great offer. A lot of young people today are gamers, so it’s a great way to become more active when it comes to mental health, he says. – It is a little more low-threshold to talk about oneself or other things through gaming. You do not see those you talk to physically, and that may make it a little easier, says project manager Aagaash Selva. Project manager for #Gameprat, Aagaash Selva. Photo: Mental Health Youth Selva and Mental Health Youth have seen that it can be difficult for boys and young men to talk about their feelings. – The very goal of the project is to normalize talking about mental health. I’m a young man myself too and have played the game all my life, at the same time as I know how difficult it can be to open up about things, Selva says. Skepticism about gaming has long been widespread. Gaming consultant in the organization Youth and Leisure Marie Lunde believes that it has gained an undeserved reputation and that it is completely natural to mix gaming with mental health. Gaming consultant Marie Lunde is positive about the new offer. Photo: Ole Andreas Bø / news – I think such an offer contributes to a health-promoting focus. Those who are not used to gaming are probably not familiar with the positive effects gaming can have on the social and the psychological, Lunde explains. Back in the room, Engevik has finished watching the stream he missed. He thinks there is a special reason why boys often do not dare to put their feelings into words. – I think it has a lot to do with boys sort of fixing everything and being so tough. It becomes taboo around that we have a hard time. It’s a bit like that if you can not fix yourself, what are you supposed to be able to fix then, the 23-year-old concludes. Need someone to talk to? Multiple helplines, chat services and support groups can help you share thoughts and feelings completely anonymously. Mental Health: 116 123 Kirkens SOS: 22 40 00 40 For children and young people: The emergency telephone for children and young people: 116 111 Cross on the neck (run by the Red Cross): 800 333 21 Source: Helsenorge



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