U.S. veterans say games support their mental health and well being | ESA report

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) showed survey results highlighting the benefits of games for U.S. veterans, with 77% of veterans saying they believe games have a positive impact on their lives. The ESA said vast majority of respondents indicated that video game play provides a healthy outlet for stress and anxiety (86%), helps them cope with difficult times (81%), offers a valuable means of staying connected with others (77%) and that video game communities have a positive impact on their mental and emotional well-being (74%), said Stanley Pierre-Louis, CEO of the ESA, in an interview with GamesBeat. It’s a way for the ESA to support veterans during Military Appreciation Month, he said. Similarly, when asked to reflect on their time in the service, they indicated that playing video games helped them relax and unwind and escape the stressors of military life (85%), boosted morale and strengthened camaraderie (78%) and provided an effective tool for fostering teamwork and ... Read full article.