Safe in Our World ‘Sidekick’ Journal is the perfect mental health companion
In one way or another, we all struggle with our mental health at some point in our life and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn’t make us weak, in fact, it makes us stronger than we’ll ever know.
Coming from someone that rarely takes his own advice, speaking to someone can often be the best remedy. For the best part of 30 years, I’d attempted to keep things locked away for so long, but eventually, it always finds a way out. I know opening up can be a very difficult process, but I know that we’re better off when we do. I’ve often had trust issues which are no doubt related to my PTSD. Yet I’ve been surprised over the years by how people actually care. Whether it’s a family or friend, a counsellor or psychologist or perhaps even a total stranger online, sometimes humanity surprises me for the better.
However, for those times when we feel overwhelmed and we really don’t want to speak to someone (and that’s ok), how can we vent or just switch off at least momentarily from our troubles? For me, video games have always been my go-to since childhood more than most. This is why I believe in the mission of Safe in Our World to remove all stigma from video games to let the world know that video games are our safe haven and it has helped us get through some of our darkest times.
Other times, I like to be creative whether it be painting some board game miniatures (which I really need to get back into btw) or relaxing with a snazzy video game colouring book. For centuries, people have expressed their thoughts in diaries/journals, whether it be to unleash our daily stress or talk about good things that have happened. A journal can be a fantastic NPC companion, something that is there if we don’t feel like talking to someone. Whether it’s frustrations, positivity or a little bit in between, a diary/journal is a loyal sidekick that is always by our side.
This is where the Safe in Our World Sidekick: The Video Games Mental Health Journal, in collaboration with Peregrine Coast Press comes into play. This awesome journal harnesses the positive power of video games to help us reflect on life in creative and fun ways to jot down our thoughts to help us process daily events, past memories or what lies ahead.
Coming from someone that struggles daily with PTSD and autism, and having to deal with what I call ‘scatterbrain’, this SIOW journal relates to me in a way that no journal has and it encourages me to untangle the scatter into something that can be reflected upon. I’m sorry if this makes little sense, but hopefully, you can relate to what I am attempting to explain here.
Over the years, I’ve attempted to use journals to help me untangle my thoughts, but none has helped me make sense of my thoughts and lifted a little bit of inner burden quite like the Safe in Our World Sidekick: The Video Games Mental Health Journal. In fact, I believe in this journal so much, that both my wife and 12-year-old son each have one too.
The Safe in Our World Sidekick: The Video Games Mental Health Journal features:
- Activities: 140 pages filled with video games and mental health-related activities, prompts, and free journaling pages. Lovingly created with the goal of helping ease your mind and connect with your love of gaming!
- Freeform Writing: Printed by Standart Impressa on 110gsm uncoated paper, the dot grid will let you journal and doodle to your heart’s content without getting in the way.
- Helpful Resources: Inside these pages are resources and advice on how to manage your own well-being. This book isn’t just a companion – it’s a safe space to look after yourself and write what’s on your mind.
“Gaming can be a positive outlet for so many individuals, but things like exposure to online harassment and harmful conduct in gaming spaces can also have a negative impact on people’s mental health,” said Sky Tunley-Stainton, Partnerships & Training Manager at Safe In Our World.
“By connecting people with the games they love, we hope Sidekick will feel like a familiar friend for folks in the games community who might be in need of the tools and information within to support their mental health.”
The Safe in Our World Sidekick: The Video Games Mental Health Journal is available to order now via Peregrine Coast Press and you can learn more about the Safe in Our World charity here.
Featured Image Credit: Safe in Our World/Peregrine Coast Press