Serena Akinahew- Cthulhu and Love- Mental Health TTRPG Colloborative-

Hello all!

Today we have the last story of our Mental Health TTRPG Colloborative: Serena Akinahew - A Story of Beasts and Joy

1Where did your journey with TTRPGs start?

It started when I met my husband. We sat down with a little Cthulhu short story. A friend and I were curious, and I wanted to play, plus I wanted to impress the boy that I like. We dropped our characters, and then we jumped in, and I remember being surprised because there wasn’t much instruction. It was just and go. It was fun, though outside my comfort zone, and over the years I enjoy it more and more. Everybody plays differently.

2 What benefits did you observe as you played the game?

I particularly like its versatility. There are so many different ways to play a game; you can play it as horror, campy, or funny. You can play the game lightheartedly or seriously; there’s a place for everyone, whether you’re the big person who has lots to say, you enjoy being the comic relief, or you’re more of an observer and along for the adventure. If you have a very good set of playmates, it’s always fun.

3 Can you tell us a bit about your experiences/ joys/ positive experiences that have cemented TTRPGs as a vessel for wellness?

Simply, it gave me a chance to share time with people I enjoyed, share food, laugh, and tell stories. It helped mIt helped me by giving me something to look forward to, and it even came with a bit of a script, so if I didn’t know what to talk about or didn't want to talk about day-to-day life, there was plenty set up for me to talk about is one aspect of TTRPGs that you feel will empower people who have not started to play or are considering playing.

Find people who want to spend time with you and find the style you want to play in so you can find a group that aligns. For example, I like DnD fine, but I ADORE playing Call of Cthulhu, and I especially like the one-off stories because you can do them in one evening, stress-free if you don’t know when you'll be able to play next.

Additionally, you can reject any questions you do not like.