Pokemon Go and Mental Health

Support mental health awareness and community involvement by donating on this page and by attending September 18th!

My name is Elijah Lovan. In the summer of 2015 I was severely depressed due to a series of life events that left me feeling devastated and alone. Although I pretty much stopped having a social life and leaving my room for things other than work and to eat, I managed to find an outlet through video games. I particularly enjoyed playing Pokemon on my 3DS. In the midst of the negative emotions I was consumed with, I managed to find a sliver of happiness through Pokemon.

With the release of Pokemon Go, we have the privilege of observing a social media phenomenon. While playing this game, I’ve met people as old as my parents, as well as kids as young as my nieces and nephews. Pokemon appeals to generation after generation. Through the use of augmented reality, people are coming together in a shared interest like never before. Another positive I have read about  is how Pokemon Go is helping people with mental disabilities, such as anxiety, depression, autism, and PTSD, feel better by giving them a reason to go outside and rediscover themselves.

The fact that something as simple as Pokemon Go is introducing so many people to one another, as well as helping those who need it find a purpose is amazing and personal to me. Mental illnesses tend to start showing their symptoms in late teens or early twenties. This is the age of a significant amount of Pokemon Go players. I feel like our society has yet to fully advocate for those who need mental health help to go seek it. We have the thought that if someone is suffering from depression, they should just go out and do something that makes them happy! If they’re anxious, take a breather and relax. Something we need to realize is that this simply isn’t possible for some people.

Social media has become an outlet for people’s fears, anxieties, and disgust. I believe social media is much more powerful than that.  This event will help show people how coming together for a positive purpose is one of the easiest ways to dissolve the barriers of race, socioeconomic status, religious and political background, or anything else that causes a divide between us.

I, along with some amazing people I have met through Pokemon Go, am going to be hosting a cookout on September 18th to promote community and to raise money for three mental health charities:

The Bridgeway, represented by Team Mystic, is home to many young people living with a mental illness or intellectual disability.

Youth Move, represented by Team Instinct, focuses on providing counseling and support to the youth in Conway.

Project Wake Up ‌, represented by Team Valor, is an outstanding organization that wants to help end the stigma behind anxiety and depression, primarily through helping spread awareness and advocating help to those who need it. 

The park we are hosting the cookout at is home to several Pokestops and a gym. Whatever team controls the gym for the longest will earn 50% of the funds raised to the charity they represent.

The other two charities will receive 25% of the funds donated.

We will be selling tickets to raffle items provided by local businesses. If you cannot participate in the raffle but would still like to donate, please do so here!*

Please help us make a positive impact and start something great! If you have ever experienced or known someone with a mental illness, you know how something as simple as seeking help can turn their life around.

*Any donations received through Gofundme will not earn an entry into the raffle. Donating through Gofundme WILL NOT earn you the chance to win a prize or raffle item, as it is against Gofundme's terms and conditions to promise a chance at winning a prize in exchange for a donation.