NOTE: Fenway Jones will be speaking at the American Association of Suicidology’s Annual Conference on Thursday, April 22nd at 2:00PM ET. You can listen to her and the many other diverse speakers virtually or in person at the conference in Orlando.
Her TED-Style talk is called: “Building and Reaching a Community”
REGISTER HERE: https://www.aasconference.org/registration
Overview
Jasper’s Game Day
While many non-gamers might have only heard of some of the potential negative consequences of excessive (mostly video-based) gaming (e.g., desensitization, sleep deprivation, and neglect of other life priorities like academics, work and exercise), those inside the gaming community (especially board and role play-based games) have come to realize there are many well-being benefits:
Often radical acceptance and unconditional regard
A virtual community that is highly accessible and inclusive
A reprieve from the toxicity of bullying, harassment and discrimination
Opportunities to learn and excel in problem-solving and communication
A chance to envision and experiment with ideal versions of themselves
In this episode, I speak with the amazing Fenway Jones, a high school student who is changing the world. We talk about the psychological benefits of being a part of a positive gaming community. We also discuss how she has made meaning after losing two friends by engaging the gaming community in suicide prevention.
About Fenway Jones
Fenway Jones is a high school senior. At 11 she started her gaming career with Pathfinder and Dungeons and Dragons. At 14 she lost two friends to suicide and decided to use the grief and pain she was feeling to take actionable steps to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. She started the 501c3 non-profit Jasper’s Game Day to use her hobby, gaming, to raise money for suicide prevention and awareness. She wants to bring the gaming community together and show everyone they are not alone. Since starting JGD just under $200k for crisis hotlines and centers has been raised.
Fenway’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenwayTeenDM
Show Notes
Jasper’s Game Day https://jaspersgameday.com/
Previous Jasper’s Game Day fund-raiser for AAS: https://suicidology.org/2020/05/26/jaspersgameday/
Fenway speaking at 2019 American Association of Suicidology Conference: https://youtu.be/9w4sgH998q8
Fenway in the news:
“Gaming for Good with Jasper’s Game Day” https://www.enworld.org/threads/gaming-for-good-with-jasper%E2%80%99s-game-day.678504/
RPG News: http://rpgnews.com/?p=40270
Fenton teen raises awareness to suicide among young adults https://nbc25news.com/news/local/fenton-teen-raises-awareness-to-suicide-among-young-adults
Suicide Resource and Response Network https://srrn.net/2019/06/19/14143/
LivingWorks Blog https://www.livingworks.net/blog/jaspers-game-day
Post-Traumatic Growth after suicide loss: http://www.posttraumaticgrowth.com/
Suicide Bereavement and Teenage Friendships
(Colorado Public Radio): When A Teen Loses A Friend To Suicide, Life As They Know It Can Shatter https://www.cpr.org/2020/02/20/a-friends-suicide-can-be-an-existential-crisis-how-one-colorado-teen-got-through-it/
(US News and World Report) How to Help Your Teen Cope With the Death of a Friend https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-04-13/how-to-help-your-teen-cope-with-the-death-of-a-friend
Training for Suicide Prevention
LivingWorks SafeTALK https://www.livingworks.net/safetalk
LivingWorks ASIST https://www.livingworks.net/asist
QPR https://qprinstitute.com/
Types of Games: https://theogresdengaming.com/tabletop-gaming/
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