We have all most likely heard of, if not actually played, the game Pokémon Go. As a huge fan of the franchise, I have been awaiting the release of this app for nearly a year and the release took me by surprise due to the date never being announced and it hitting the app store almost out of nowhere. Users were dying to play the game and even resorted to acts such as making fake apple accounts with fake addresses from Australia to get it or downloading the file onto an android device.

As I stared at the loading screen that I had come to know so well, I felt a bit of fear. As someone who has diagnosed mental illnesses, would I be able to go outside? Could I play this game despite depression and social anxiety from a personality disorder? I hoped so because Pokémon is something that has been very important to me for my entire life. It helped me when I had family issues, when I went through traumatic experiences, this was a franchise that was always there for me. I got teased a lot for still playing Pokémon while being older than the target audience (those same people are currently playing Pokémon Go, but that is a story for another day.) But what I am trying to say that this franchise has been a constant in my life.

However… I was used to hiding under my blankets away from the world and playing the games. I was used to this being a personal thing. Originally the games required a cable to trade but more recently you have been able to trade with people all over the world without even having to leave the house thanks to Wi-Fi.

I was skeptical and already dreading the fact of having to leave my house in order to play a video game but I did it. I got the game and decided to go for a walk. At about 10pm. I live alone so social interaction is not something that I am completely used to. During this walk I had a few conversations with people I didn’t know. Some kids talked to me. I was anxious, yes, but also very happy. People were finally interested in something so special to me so they understood when I talked about it.

The next day a few of my friends decided we should go Pokémon hunting. We grabbed our phones and went around everywhere. Joining Team Mystic, we took over gyms and leveled up. While at one gym, we were invited to a lure party where we talked to a few people and applauded, or booed, their team selection. I was having fun. I am still having fun. I am not as sad and I actually feel as if I have an interest in something which, as you may know, is usually the opposite when it comes to those with depression.

I made friends. Some pals and I even started a local Facebook group that is currently creeping on 300 members. I talk to people from the group. I go out on walks and meet people. I am exercising more because of the walking.

I wondered if this was true for others. And it was. I found that so many people had been benefiting from this game. People with terminal illnesses or severe mental issues are actually moving around the hospital with the help of nurses as they attempt to catch Pokémon. Physical therapists are using the app to encourage walking.

People are talking everywhere about how their depression and anxiety is benefiting from such a small little game involving catching little creatures.

And I completely agree. I feel very at peace and not so afraid of the world around me. I know this app won’t be popular forever but even being able to feel not so bad for a couple of weeks is good enough for me.