Targeting the True Cause of School Violence
Often, conversations about school violence circle the same topics: gun control, increased security, arming teachers, etc. But these conversations almost never address the actual cause of this violence: our schools’ mental health crisis.
Addressing this crisis is the only truly sustainable way to prevent violence in schools. This is why our Mage Fire Gaming program has tabletop role-playing games designed to improve the mental health of troubled kids, teens, and young adults.
What are tabletop role-playing games?
Like the name implies, role-playing games (RPGs) require you to take on a role—a character—when you play. You are no longer Jake, the skinny, picked-on kid. You are Kaldren Silverfell, dragonslayer and hero of your village.
Additionally, rather than the predetermined actions you can take in a video game or board game, RPGs allow players the creative freedom to do nearly anything they can think up—all it takes is some paper, a few dice, and a lot of imagination.
Approaching therapy through gaming
Our modules are specifically designed to help troubled youth—as they are most at risk of potentially hurting themselves or others. Each specialized module includes moral dilemmas that teach empathy and reward heroic actions.
Troubled kids in particular require spaces where they can safely express themselves without pressure of real-world expectations. This is why we’re striving to implement this program in schools as part of a 504 plan or extracurricular program—or even integrated into the standard curriculum.
how rpgs affect players
RPGs’ unique game play has significant impacts on mental health. Players develop vital critical-thinking skills as they solve puzzles, battle monsters, escape dungeons, engage in diplomacy, and save entire cities.
Tabletop RPGs are also unique in their social aspect. Players play as a united team—which means they develop communication skills, learn group dynamics, and form tight-knit friendships as they work together to overcome in-game challenges.
Join the Campaign
Our game designers and certified therapist are currently working on modules for this program, but we need funding to get it into schools. Please contact us to become a sponsor—or visit our donate page to contribute right now!
We also run a yearly fundraiser at FanX where everyone is invited to come play tabletop games, sit it on self-defense demonstrations, and participate in our charity auction.
If you would like to volunteer to help us run this event, please let us know!