In 2024, hasbro.com Report that Dungeons & Dragons has celebrated its 50th anniversaryth Celebrating its anniversary, it reached more than 50 million fans worldwide. The use of D&D and other tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) is becoming a popular trend in universities to promote student mental health. In August 2024, eight schools launched the National Learning Network for Supportive Gaming Communities. These schools include the University of Dallas, Georgia Southern University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Southern Indiana, Ringling College of Art and Design, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Texas Christian University ( I am the Director of the Counseling Center TCU, which is the host site for the Learning Network). The goal of this network is for each school to launch a Supported Gaming Community (SGC). The Support Gaming Community is a small group that promotes the positive benefits of TTRPG to students. So far, the school has proven three important things about TTRPG.
TTRPG is popular among college students
Joe LeConte is the lead trainer for the National Learning Network. He is TCU’s Substance Use and Recovery Counselor/Peer Support Coordinator and is considered a leading authority on the use of TTRPGs in higher education. When asked why TTRPG is so appealing to students, Joe Lecomte replied: Dragons…”
This appeal is most evident in schools participating in the National Learning Network. Cara Guziak, senior staff therapist and group and workshop coordinator at UTD, reports: Send to campus-wide email! Christi Postolino, director of counseling at the Harrisburg College of Science and Technology, said this year, “This is the most successful and regularly held counseling center our counseling center has ever offered in our small school.” “It was a great group.”
TTRPG is effective in promoting mental health
According to Joe Lecomte, TTRPGs help promote positive aspects of mental health. He said: “Just as an actor plays a role, TTRPG players can step away from their everyday lives and take on the role of an epic hero, a powerful magician, an adventurer, or any character they can imagine. Their imagination… I believe that working can be relaxing and empowering.
Other experts have also found TTRPGs to be effective in this regard. Dr. Anthony Bean, a renowned geek therapy psychologist who has written and lectured extensively on games, says TTRPGs strengthen social skills and teamwork, support identity exploration and growth, and encourage play and It says it could benefit students in ways such as reducing stress through escapism. , promotes problem solving and cognitive flexibility. Dr. Bean initially supported TCU staff who were trained to provide a positive gaming experience for students, commenting: “Tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons provide a structured environment for students to collaborate, solve problems, and build relationships. These games encourage players to communicate effectively. We encourage students to communicate, negotiate, and work as a team, and these skills are directly transferable to their academic and social lives.”
In addition to promoting positive skills, SGC also helped reduce loneliness and social isolation among students. Kristy Postolino says of the campus: Surgeon General Vivek Murphy has made it a priority. Offering SGC seemed like a fun way to approach this serious concern, especially for students who may not have access to traditional counseling center services. ”
Cara Guziak echoed this sentiment about UTD, saying: Our students actively seek ways to create meaningful connections that go beyond single-event outreach or personalized service. This concept of SGC appealed to us as a means to foster that connection while remaining available as a source of support.
TTRPG is fun to have the staff progress.
Kristy Postolino summed up the joy of facilitating TTRPGs for students: “Anyway, this was a great experience and one I definitely want to take in every year. It was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences I’ve had as a clinician.” There are plans to expand the learning network to other schools and Joe Lecomte has expressed even bigger ambitions. Managed Living Care Facility. I’m inspired by what we’ve already done, but I’m also really inspired about the future because this idea is growing so quickly. I’d love to see what other people come up with. ”