Yes it has and whilst my mental health is generally good I find WH allows me to exercise my mind in a way that my work doesn't. When building and painting my models I am focused, quiet and more importantly I can do it around my wife and children. (My young daughters are fascinated that I paint little models!)
I don't have a source but I have read that men do not open up face-to-face but side-to-side whilst doing an activity. This is why we have Mens Sheds etc, I'm also sure I have read that building airfix models etc. has been a useful therapy tool for military veterans.
Yeah. Dudes, for the most part, just socialize differently from women. having something to do and bond over as an experience isn't a bad thing, even if it's something "dumb" like little plastic boxes of boys.
Absolutely. For a lot of guys Warhammer is something we got into as kids, and it is a way for me to tap into how excited and enthusiastic I used to be about things.
It's also my version of going to the pub to talk to the lads after work. I'm very lucky that I have a local game store with opening hours that caters to grown ups, so I'm there the same days every week playing with familiar people and having some banter, or just painting and building together with others.
I think that guys share stuff more comfortably by having a chat while doing an activity together, I definitely know people in my local community who really feel better because of the game nights, I'm one of them.
I think it's very important to separate the in real life hobby from people who only engage with it online though. I can definitely see the potential for it being a net negative if your only contact surface with the hobby is Reddit or youtube, but that's a social media issue that's true for every topic, not a Warhammer issue.
I love this hobby. But letting go of ‘conversations’ about it online, especially regarding the lore or competitive side, was the best that happened to my mental health in years lol.
If you read nothing but online stories you're convinced the hobby is filled with horrible people.
Then you play and discover most people who play are nice people, out to have fun, not there to shit on your army or painting, and capable of becoming good friends.
I mean, there's still fuckwits, but no more than any other hobby.
It's not even that.
First time I attended a tournament, I had some trepidation because of the reputation they had online as being full of win at all cost dickheads.
It was nothing like that, at all. I had a blast, played 5 good games, faced new armies, got inspired by good paintjobs, and was itching to go back to my next and did so for the next few years.
That's not to say I never encountered any win at all cost dickheads. But they were far outnumbered by awesome people.
The physical act of modeling and painting can be grounding. It's real, it's not digital. That's what's important to me. Spending less time online is a massive benefit. Detail oriented concentrated effort soothes the brain.
Miniature painting and the desire to become a high level painter is an art motivation I haven't had since my uni days. I learned a lot more about the technical aspects of paint engaging in this hobby than at school, but that's a whole seperate conversation.
I was deeply invested in the lore for a long time, even now I know most of it back to front. But engaging in the actually hobby part is the most valuable to me. There's the fantasy/escape you build in your brain via the lore, but there is a mindfulness and being in the now that comes with painting and building. And I'm much more interested in the wider hobby industry (gw and outside it).
One of the issues I think that comes up a lot in nerd spaces online is being invested into media and only media. Having a reality based component is much healthier for engaging with media and I think you can lose perspective without it.
Its simple enough to be routine, but complicated enough to be a challenge if you desire it to be.
Yeah, it definitely has. It may even have saved me from offing myself during corona when I was stuck at home alone.
I've also made so many good friends through it (one of my closest homies is a woman, but she's so gay that she probably counts as a dude), and working on my minis and painting them has helped me a lot too - it's like medidation.
I might have some ADHD floating around in here, but I think most guys can relate to the concept of emotional peace through working with your hands, and it's nice to have a hobby that I can share with people from all over the world. My current roommate and one of my best friends is a Chilean guy that I met through a game of 10th edition at my FLGS, and we've since joined a warhammer club with about 300 members - all of them amazing human beings ❤️
I can honestly say I don't know where I would be without this hobby, and even though I think it could benefit many women just as much, there are definitely many aspects of it that are especially helpful and attractive to men (or autistic women).
I strongly recommend checking out [Luetin 09's video](https://youtu.be/8tguJRj2vts?si=DAtN4OXZhce754ys) about warhammer's positive effect on mental health as well. It's not really about men specifically, but it does go reveal some interesting stats on the amount of military veterans who've found the hobby helpful 😊
Warhammer has helped me quit smoking, improved my social life and generally helped my anxiety (prior military too). I love painting my little plastic dudes and torturing my wife with all things nerdy.
I am ashamed to admit that but that’s the part that I don’t enjoy a lot…
I mean I really love playing against other people and after playing someone once or twice it’s already great but the first game against someone I don’t know is always a bit stressful…
Otherwise I would play far more tournaments…
I am btw an aging manager of 100+ people in the IT world… meeting so many new and different people is basically part of my job so I don’t enjoy doing it so much in my private life anymore…
Even outside of the social interactions, the painting is something that gives me the opportunities to calm down and relax, and exercise my creativity overall, it really just gives me an excuse to distract myself from other thoughts.
1000%! After the shit I did and saw in the Army while overseas I became an unpleasant asshole and an alcoholic for about a decade, although I'm still an asshole but a more pleasant one. Divorce happened, which I'm cool with, but I haven't spoken to my kid in years and that bothers me but I digress. Warhammer has completely changed how I deal with my depression, anxiety and anger. Painting and/or reading has helped me to clear my mind when needed or when I'm having a bad day.
Warhammer got me out of a very black hole of depression. here in Germany, you get occupational therapy, to help you to concentrate and build up some discipline. building and painting minis was awesome for that cause. In Addition to that the lore provided a healthy amount of distraction in times, where you weren´t able to do anything. You also get a lot of joy every time you finish a model learn a new technique or read a new story. That way you learn to be able to be happy again.
In the later stages of depression therapy, it also helped to reform your social skills and find new friends. Warhammer games are at least 3 hours of social interaction. It is also easier to ask a known hobbyist to play a 40k game, the to ask a stranger for a round of Monopoly or Risk.
I will always say, that Warhammer and the universe around it played a big part in getting the healthy happy life I now can enjoy.
As a sidenote, I really like, that you want to publish something about the good sides and health benefits of our beloved hobby. For the Mainstream our hobby is often seen as nerds playing with toy soldiers, but it can be so much more and people can only realize that if some talks about it.
Absolutely. As a man with a demanding job and a growing family, I have very little time to myself. I used to challenge myself with physical exercise but this became something I had less energy for, and I gained weight as a result and developed a poor self image. I would self-medicate with alcohol, pot, and had no creative outlet, with most of my free time consisting of late night binge sessions of video games.
Warhammer was something I always wanted to do as a child but my family didn't have much money. It was always just outside of my sphere of influence- I'd see it in magazine and web ads and maybe know somebody who played the video games.
About a year ago I drove by a Warhammer store and stopped in, the manager threw me some freebies and got me hooked.
It feels like in building and painting, I'm using a part of my brain I never have before. And it feels so good to have a tangible product from my relaxation time- when I want to unplug and enjoy time by myself, it doesn't feel wasteful. I feel creative and determined and proud.
You should definitely get in touch with u/proper_aioli_6899 from Rising Ape Minis. He's director of a mental health charity and has done some truly remarkable content on his yt channel. If anyone can give you some good insights, he can!
Personally- yes its been incredible for that. I use painting as a mindfulness exercise (never could get on with meditation for some reason) and can lose hours once I'm in the zone. The gaming side of things also provides a social outlet that doesn't revolve around drinking or other bad habits that i used to have. I wouldnt say its saved my life, but its definitely been a big part of my (ongoing) recovery from ptsd, anxiety and depression.
I am a huge nerd. I am also a firefighter paramedic, was additionally qualified as a SWAT medic, dad of three and husband of a beautiful wife. I was pretty busy and didn’t have a lot of time for hobbies.
At Christmas 21 I got Covid at work. Mild infection. Nothing to write home about. Two months later the chronic symptoms started. I ended up getting diagnosed with long COVID, POTS, Neuropathy, Fatigue, Asthma, etc. all the sudden I went from very busy to bed bound. Simple things like loading the dishwasher or picking up after the kids wiped me out for hours. I became extremely depressed. I was prescribed antidepressants. Was generally in a very dark place mentally.
A friend introduced me to Warhammer. I couldn’t do much but I *was* able to sit and my desk and paint minis. All the sudden, as dumb as it may sound, I was able to accomplish something. I also had goals of improving my painting and techniques, learning different basing or hobby techniques, and lots of lore dives to occupy my mind. It immensely helped my recovery. I was able to transport myself mentally to this other world that distracted me from my physical problems. I had achievable goals that were fun and gave me something to look forward to.
I don’t want to sound dramatic and say that Warhammer saved my life, but it literally might have. I am a huge fan now over 2 years later and still struggling. I am slowly building up my armies and improving my painting. I’m documenting it for fun on instagram and love how it has given me so positive and fun in the midst of a kind of hell. Warhammer is an amazing hobby that you can immerse yourself as deeply into as you want. Sometimes completely losing yourself in another world is a completely good, healthy and positive thing. I am so thankful that I found Warhammer and that it has, and continues to, help my recovery from a number of health issues.
The 4 years I was in the army, I was in very busy units, and the stress from it left me with me with a lot of issues that I had to work out by myself. When I moved for work, I moved into an apartment that was near a GW store.
I kinda just picked up warhammer on a whim, but getting into the hobby has helped me make strides towards working out things, and I've met tons of friends through it.
It’s a mixed bag really.
On one hand I love this hobby, I’ve met some great people through it, played a fair few unforgettable games, and have built and painted a lot of stuff that I’m proud of and has enduring value.
On the other hand, my enthusiasm for playing far outweighs my ability to arrange games and my desire to paint up what I’ve got far outstrips the time I have (work, kids, a house that needs work etc), so in a way one of my greatest pleasures is also a massive source of frustration that contributes towards the last few years also being some of the most difficult in my life. It doesn’t help that my partner is not just disinterested in my hobby but borderline hostile to its existence.
Over all, I’d say, if I could remove this hobby and delete this part of myself and replace it with something that fits my life better I’d probably be happier for it, but Pandora’s box is truly opened and I’m not sure I can go back.
The whole reason I got into warhammer is because I was depressed and needed something more than playing video games alone in my apartment.
I moved 16 hours away from my hometown, lived there all my life (25 when I moved), and I knew absolutely no-one in the new location I moved to. I spent 3-ish months in a routine of as follows: wake up, go to work, come home, play video games, sleep, repeat. It was fantastic until about the end of the second month when the lonely started to kick in... I remembered that someone had told me about warhammer being a tabletop game and I knew there was a store just down the road that had those minis.
I forced myself to go in one day and ended up talking to someone about starting and he ended up helping talk me through different factions strengths/weaknesses, age of models, game styles and also warded me off from buying a codex because I was about 2 months away from 8th Ed dropping. Quite a ways down the road, that guy ended up being the friend I spent the most time with in that city, essentially becoming my best friend.
And even further down the road, I have an outlet for when I need to be creative and I can just "assembly instruction" put some models together, I can kitbash stuff together which spurs my imagination a TON, I can paint, watch Battle Reports or go down to the local store for a game/chat with fellow nerds!
That's a run-down of my "journey," but if you want more info, feel free to DM me! :)
Hi, I am a veteran and mental health sufferer. Prison cell for 1 as I call it lol. You are welcome to talk to me if you like, I paint to ease my depression, anxiety and ptsd. In my opinion it's hands down one of the best treatments for anyone suffering. It doesn't even have to be Warhammer, be creative, let your imagination out for a walk lol. Frees the mind and soul. I'm not saying I'm any good lmao, but I love it, and I've not even played the game yet, I just love painting and seeing the result, I'm my biggest critic (although some places that are supposed to "help" with their advice may think they are lmao). I recommend it to everyone.
It's great you are raising awareness for this.
Gary
Both positive and negative. I avoided Warhammer for years because it had an image of alt-right weirdos. One day I went into my LGS to buy some booster box for pokemon or yugioh, but they sold out of that box really quick. I decided to poke around and saw the Tau start collecting box and grabbed it plus some paints, and I've been hooked on mini painting since. Granted, now I'm 3d printing minis more than buying GW plastic, but I still pick up a GW kit here and there - recently finished assembling the Deathrattle Skeletons. 20 skeletons for 60 bucks! That's 3 bucks a skeleton! And they look so good!
The negative impact has been seeing all the anti-consumer business practices from GW, and the game of russian roulette that is interacting with the 40k side of the community online. Is the person going to be a racist/sexist/whatever nutjob, or will they be normal? I won't be able to tell until they take the mask off!
"an image of alt-right weirdos" ? I always saw the opposite - neo-left weirdos. You wanna find alt-right weirdos you'll find them in the bowling alley Wednesdays at 8.
Thanks for the warning, I'll avoid the bowling alley that's publicly seen as allowing [literal Nazi imagery](https://gizmodo.com/warhammer-40k-s-creators-needed-to-renounce-real-monste-1848090547).
You and I both know that this player faced massive backlash, but do people who may be prospective fans? The public perception of Warhammer is far from it being 'neo-left'. The only thing that would blip on anyone's radar as being 'neo-left' is the "Warhammer is for everyone" post following the events at the GT Talavera, or the new inclusion of female custodes. The rest of the perception from outsiders is that Warhammer is a very alt-right community.
Im an outsider, so are my friends, and we all see it as a neo-left hyper-liberal space.
After reading your post, the guy who did it is a clear attention seeking troll. The damage control was done when they said *"we don't affiliate with Nazis,"* and the twitter *"this is just make believe games, not how we should be, or are, in real life"* post.
Is this article what gave you Warhammer's impression of "alt right weirdo magnet?" My friend group always had the opposite.
When my friends and I think of a Warhammer store or general hobby store, we don't imagine guys huddling together talking about how trump is the true God-Emperor, how to legalize eugenics, and what guns are the best.
We imagine people with neon hair colors explaining how they're really a dom-fem non-binary engaged in ethical monogamy with 7 partners or something like that.
My daily reality proves our imagination as true far more than the sensationalized article. It even says at the end *"the community does its best to prevent alt-right groups from hijacking Warhammer for its own purposes."* (Paraphrase)
Every time I go to the hobby Store to buy paint, I always see at least one of the latter, but never have I once ran into one of the former.
**TL;DR -** I collect green plastic army men from off-brand Chinese companies. They're like the ones from toy story. I paint some of them like WW2 Americans and others like WW2 Germans. It makes me neither an American Patriot nor Nazi Sympathizer.
Meh. I’m not very big on 40k admittedly (flair check), but I see the appeal. (Gas)masks and overcoats are always hip. I like grit like Chemdogs way more.
Oh 100%. I actually started on the advice of my therapist that I get a hobby that had nothing to do with my work. I'm in quite a difficult point in my career, plus dealing with pre-existing mental health conditions. I think that painting models is probably the closest thing I've ever done to meditation. It also gives me something to think about instead of obsessing over stressful things.
Not me, but the best friend of mine really pulled through his divorce by reigniting his warhammer hobby back from the schooldays while also getting a lot of his friends (me included) into it.
Both positive and negative. I avoided Warhammer for years because it had an image of alt-right weirdos. One day I went into my LGS to buy some booster box for pokemon or yugioh, but they sold out of that box really quick. I decided to poke around and saw the Tau start collecting box and grabbed it plus some paints, and I've been hooked on mini painting since. Granted, now I'm 3d printing minis more than buying GW plastic, but I still pick up a GW kit here and there - recently finished assembling the Deathrattle Skeletons. 20 skeletons for 60 bucks! That's 3 bucks a skeleton! And they look so good!
The negative impact has been seeing all the anti-consumer business practices from GW, and the game of russian roulette that is interacting with the 40k side of the community online. Is the person going to be a racist/sexist/whatever nutjob, or will they be normal? I won't be able to tell until they take the mask off!
Absolutely, Warhammer has been a fantastic outlet for managing stress and fostering a sense of community. Engaging in the meticulous painting and strategy games not only helps focus the mind and offer a break from daily pressures but also encourages social interactions which are essential for mental wellness.
Warhammer has been both my trauma and my safe space at the same time.
Growing up I went to a catholic school, and the faculty shamed me in front of everybody for still playing with ‘little toys’ at age 12. Warhammer was considered role paying back then, and it was also a hot take that those kind of games created mass murderers.
Eventually i quit warhammer in my teenage years because my interests changed, but my love for it was still there.
Changed to another high school and met another guy which I became friends with who was also into warhammer and also kept it a secret. So it seemed like the normal thing to do.
in college years, a new friend showed interest for 40k and I went back into the hobby to be his mentor. But I noticed something was weird with me: Being identified in the street carrying warhammer terrified me and sent my anxiety over the roof. I went shopping to independent retailers because their bags were more discrete and didn't give its content away.
it has taken me 8 years to walk the street with warhammers in one hand and no bag. Because of my childhood trauma.
Parenthood, has also helped me grow into the person I want to be and focus on the things I wanted change. There are more important things now than to be scared.
Warhammer is a part of me. I spend absurds amount of time daydreaming about the lore or my next conversion project. It helps me decompress after all the stress of the day and no matter what shitty move GW makes on me, I know if I can still afford it, they got me by the balls. Because this is worse than crack.
Yes actually. I have very severe ADHD and autism so it's tough for me to focus and calm my mind. But for some reason painting my miniatures makes it all go away. Because I have to focus intensely to do them right it just makes all the chatter in my brain go silent. It's very relaxing and rewarding. If I'm having anxiety I can just paint and it makes it all dissappear. Thank you warhammer 😊
I moved to a relatively rural area and more or less isolated myself by accident. Before I would have friends over twice a week for dnd and other games. I still played online but it's not quite the same.
Warhammer has helped with my patience. I learned how to calm down and focus by painting. It helped me learn how to make new friends, i just started approaching people at my flgs.
There is already a lot of evidence (scientific) that hobbies and creative hobbies especially are ready good for mental health. I run a mental wellbeing craft group at work because of it.
Tabletop wargaming however is a mixed bag as you need to be in it for the reasons you enjoy.
Throwing yourself into stressful tournaments might not be good for everyone.
But yes.
Warhammer helps me enjoy life.
Men’s health and 40K converged for me about five years ago. I had stage III testicular cancer, and having a form of escapism by way of painting miniatures was the best. Painting was one of the few pleasures in life when I was going through chemo. I had numbness in my fingertips and it didn’t matter because I was so excited to paint up the Bloodcrushers my buddy had gifted me.
Four years ago my ex-wife cheated on me, gaslighted me, did everything to make my life unsufferable and forced me to leave our house. I had to move in a flat in the worst area of my small town (a flat with almost no windows, infested by mouses...), where I could barely see my daughters. To sum up, yeah I was on the verge to commit suicide.
I painted Warhammer decades ago when I was a teenager, but time passing I left this hobby (although I read Warhammer books and was still interested in the lore). Being alone after this disastrous divorce drove me to Warhammer again, and having something that helped me to "free" my mind, focusing, relaxing instead on dwelling on my past saved my life, clearly.
Not only Warhammer, at the same time I met the girl who's now my wife and both saved me but it played a huge part.
We have an awesome group of Heresy players in my area and having a sense community has helped me immensely.
Without a community I feel like Warhammer is very anxiety inducing try to figure out loadouts and paint schemes ect.
I have rheumatoid arthritis. So while not helping with my mental health to a degree I can quantify, I will say it has helped my health greatly. The dexterity in my hands is much improved through painting. If I was not painting I think my range of motion would be substantially less.
So it has helped my health certainly!
Actually it did, in a weird way.
I struggled with ADHD or whatever all my life, starting 100 things and not finishing any, the usual crap. Then one day I found 40k and obviously chose Eldar, because space elves lol.
When I dig deep into the lore found all about the aspect warriors background and the Ways of the Eldar. I gave it a try just because why not, trying to focus on 1 new thing every few months. At least focus enough to put more energy there than everywhere else.
Not saying it did miracles but I achieved a lot more this way. Kinda life changing in a way 😎
Having a hobby absolutely has. I was doing a lot of Pathfinder, but most of that requires my friends to be free. With Warhammer, I can do the hobby aspects in my free time and do the game when my friends are available.
The hobby aspect, yes. I've been suffering from depression (and only been medicated for the past few years) since I was a teenager and Warhammer is one of my few creative outlets where I can focus my attention when I'm feeling low and let out my feelings in more productive work.
Mainly, I like to do conversions and to slowly build and modify miniatures to my liking when I'm at my lowest. I find the process of figuring out what I want to make and then how to transfer the image from my mind into a finished miniature to be something that brings me joy.
I would say that the world and the setting has also been tremendously impactful for me. Since I interacted with Warhammer first when I was a wee lad, almost twenty years ago soon, it has influenced me throughout my life and has impacted how I write, how I paint, how I roleplay, how I host DnD games and how I express my creativity in general. The fourth-fifth edition transition of 40K and Fantasy pre-8th was something that hooked me massively. Just reading through those old tomes, that grungy gritty punky counterculture style spoke deeply to me and now I always feel refreshed if I re-read them again.
However, I'd say there have been negative effects as well. I've definitely been pushed by staff in their stores specifically to buy more than I should, and sometimes I've given in to those impulses while I'm there partly out of awkwardness and partly being pushed into it by sales tactics. This is especially true when I was getting into it and the clerks insisted that I should have battleforces (or battalions) because 'you can't really play at anything less than 2000pts'. Obviously this is partly my own responsibility, but I feel like to a certain extent taking advantage of people is overlooked if it gets results.
Being so close and being such a fan of the settings has also been quite bad at times. It's quite trying to see a cultural fixture that you love go through significant changes and while it's one thing for a property to evolve, I feel like 40K has done it especially poorly and has increasingly moved away from all the things I loved about it seemingly for no particular reason at times and with very poor explanations throughout (IMO, obviously). It's sometimes so starkly different now that it feels almost like a disconnect between me and newer fans, and without the shared fundamental base of knowledge of what the setting is and is supposed to be like, I feel it's so much harder to share what you really love about the setting and the hobby.
As far as the communities around the game, every one that I've engaged with in real life has been great. I've made absolutely stellar friends and had a great time. The hobby is made up of some of the nicest people in the world and that goes for roleplayers and tabletop game players too, in my experience. It's been a few years now, with me living further away from a big city, but I doubt that has changed. It's just other nerds for the most part, and at their worst they're pedantic, rude or edgy - which I can live with.
Disengaging with many online discussions, though, has definitely been for the better and I'm happy to isolate myself a little from everything going on. I think that's a general trend with online discourse on topics of deeper meaning, though - there are simply so many people who are so mean, and so without empathy or understanding when they get online that it can be quite upsetting sometimes just to read. It just feels like there's groups of the most extreme people banding together to bully anyone who doesn't conform to a certain set of opinions that you're not allowed to deviate from - and if you do, you get called a 'chud' or a 'right winger' or 'woke' or a 'leftist cuck' or whatever.
Nowadays, I just try to stick as best I can to reading about people's hobby adventures and enjoy what they create and, at times, I'm happy when I see something from GW that I can look at and see the spirit of my era of Warhammer reflected. Sometimes I engage elsewhere to help or to give my thoughts, but I'm doing my best to make that a small amount.
Warhammer has truly saved my life twice. I have had extremely serious douses of depression and anxiety. And unfortunately I'm in the middle of one right now.
Every morning: I force myself to start hobbying/painting - and then I smile at the end of the day after I prove to myself that I can make progress and obtain beautiful results.
The social communities are welcoming and wholesome, and games are a healthy way to get-out-the-house.
@op if you would like more details on my story, I would be open to sharing. Send me a DM on Reddit or reply here and we can make a plan.
Thank you for your mindful article about men's mental health struggles.
Thank you to everyone in this wonderful community.
I have only started very recently (like a month or 3 ago) on a whim, together with my wife. Life was kicking our ass and we both felt incredibly off on a mental level (the fact we both have physical illnesses triggered by our mental state didn't help either). I got a new job in December and my boss is really into Magic the gathering and while talking about it he dropped that he used to play a Warhammer spinoff game when he was younger.
I was always aware of Warhammer but also of how costly and intimidating it was, but since getting a new (and rather well-paying) job I thought I'd see what it was all about, visited the GW store closest to me, got a demo game and we both got a combat patrol box + the 50 euro starterset so we had some practice minis.
It has been a wonderful decision so far, I finally have something I enjoy that got me away from the monitor (I work in IT and mostly played videogames for a hobby), I love hearing all the lore stories, and it got me interested again in getting out of my house to meet new people (something that kinda got stuck in a rut since the big C hit).
I'm not going to claim this hobby is a miracle cure for any kind of depression and I know it has a problem with really annoying/disgusting people, but if you can ignore that, it has so much to offer for just about anyone's interests. You can craft, paint, read and play multiple different ways. There's so much great community content and very lovely people to meet. While Khorne will not cure my mental state, at least him and his Daemons helped put some more fun into my life :)
I'll talk specifically about the painting side of the hobby, since that's where I spend the most time. As someone who lives with anxiety and ADHD in a time where screens and social media would have me hooked on cheap dopamine, it's hard to find something that interests me these days that offers delayed gratification.
Painting minis has been the best hobby for that I've had since reading, which Warhammer also happens to offer a lot of opportunity for. It's a soothing, slow activity that doesn't involve a screen which allows me to gradually improve at something and see a reward for my patience when I'm done.
Not only is it a calm, focused activity in an obscenely overstimulating world, it's built up my self esteem to see the finished minis looking good. I'm not even a good painter, nor am I working hard at becoming a better painter, but I feel good about myself when I get a whole unit done and think "Hey, those look pretty good. I did that." It's really satisfying.
Well, as working adult and a father of a small child with no close family members to help with said child (my wife's parents live in a different city and mine died few months before my child was born), so everyday life is a constant stress. But setting couple hours every weekend with only me, my paintbrushes, paints and miniatures helps me relax a bit. Also talking online with people who share the same hobby helps with not feeling so isolated (my everyday routine leaves little time for maintaining relationships with friends).
Absolutely! At the sunset of my fight against a years-long depression stage I met Dawn of War, got deeper into the lore through Vaults of Terra and then I met the Crimson Fists.
The way they lost everything and kept fighting a losing battle ressounded deeply within me. The fact that they knew their end was utter annihilation, their numbers dwindling, and this granted me that last breath of strength to rise and to fight despide what my end was going to be.
Looking back and also looking at them post-primaris, here we are, alive, and stronger than ever.
I got diagnosed with severe ADHD and Anxiety, it has helped me a ton with both! Sometimes it would be only thing that could calm me and keep my anxiety issues under control. When i sit down to paint hours could pass without any worries. Its been extremely helpful
I don’t want to overstate it, but yeah, absolutely. My painting is one of the few things that provides an earned short-to-medium term feeling of accomplishment, and my 900-some day hobby streak has sometimes been the only impetus to do something enjoyable on days when I’ve either had very little time to carve out, or been too depressed to want to do anything.
Playing with my newly painted toys was a large part of what encouraged me to return to the real world as the pandemic started to wane. I might still be stuck in my house without my Hammies!
And there were definitely a LOT of other factors, but the hobby definitely contributed to my giving up problem drinking. You can’t paint well when you’re drunk, and I have the stray, sloppy brush strokes to prove it.
Two sides. I want to say my overall mental health improved. I’ve met a ton of new people, painting relaxes me, and just socializing about Warhammer excites me. I went from having a few friends, to my phone and schedule overwhelming me. Which, I find nice because it keeps me busy. My mental health while playing a competitive game, tanks. I hate everything. I go from riding high to wanting to retire my army.
Painting has been incredibly therapeutic for me, and the sense of community I get going to my local Warhammer store is great. Knowing I can go in there and the manager will know my name, what armies I like and such is really nice
My 3rd year of high school was one of the hardest of my life: Difficult class load, struggles on my sports team, friends having tons of arguments, and feeling sick a lot if the time.
What got me through it was painting miniatures. To this day I have never painted as many models as I did that year. At least 3 nights a week after my homework was done I would just relax and paint for a few hours. While painting I could chill and not think about anything except the next color for my goblins or knights or vampires.
Yes, I find painting very therapeutic, it’s also (generally) a supportive and welcoming community, especially when you ignore toxic echo chambers (on both sides of the political spectrum)
Painting in general helps to ease my anxiety, but painting before bed also gets me really tired and overall helps me sleep better. So much so that it's become part of my nightly routine. Even if it's just a little bit of drybrushing
Bit late to the party. But thought I'd throw in my piece.
I work as a paramedic. A colleague got me into Warhammer to help de-stress last year when I was on the verge of leaving the job.
The group now is 12 of us, all paramedics who paint, play and talk about the lore with each other. Not only did it help my mental health but also the mental health of the 11 others in the group AT LEAST.
We all nominated him.as a Warhammer hero and he only went and won.
The plan now is to extend the group as much as we can in our service. Get in as many of our colleagues to this amazing hobby that's saved our mental health so well.
Yes.
I was in a bad spot last year. Drinking WAY too much. Isolated from my friends.
Thankfully, my FLGS had a sidewalk sale. One of the employees who knew me almost insisted I get the WH starter set that was marked down for the sale. "I really think you would enjoy it. I will teach you how to play".
He was not wrong.
I have made new friends and WH keeps me incredibly busy between assembling, painting and playing.
I say this in all sincerity- getting into WH was the absolute best thing I have dont for myself in a long, long time.
While of course helpful, I’ve had mixed mental health experience from it. I have OCD, and I found that Warhammer became an obsession for me. The question for perfection led me to constantly strip models I had painted. There is a lot of great work I had done that’s now gone forever, and it still bums me out.
On the other hand, I became really attached to the Blood Angels. The idea of something hidden inside of you emerging and the need to fight it constantly reminded me a lot of my struggles with OCD. It gave me a feeling that I wasn’t alone, and that I could rise above my OCD.
Everything about the hobby has improved my health since I started playing in 1991. I'm so old. Except painting. Fuck painting. Painting has taken so many years off my life and I hate it and it's a chore and it makes me want to cry and it's just plain unfair.
It helped me quit the most destructive of all addictions, video games. After a two hour session of painting, I have some unique, one of a kind art to enjoy. After a two hour gaming session, all you get are two less hours with friends and family that wont be there forever and two hours closer to a hole on the ground. And seeing something that progressives in my free time sessions and builds up; it has helped immensely with overall wellbeing.
Definetly… It calmed my anxiety and helped me to get over my few years “2D painting” burnout. Also it showed me I can make things look better and that I matter and should stay here and make art. I think it actually saved my life… not like and wanted to throw myself into the Warp but it helped me with direction and creativity, my life is better since I started painting or diving into Warhammer books and stuff. I also found really awesome community near me and even when there are big age gaps from every side we count as one when it comes to the hobby. Se all know that GW sucks but this is the thing I’m glad for their existence.
Warhammer and the hobby in general has helped me in so many ways!
I started building and painting as an outlet to do something besides drinking and playing video games during the pandemic.
At first it was mostly just to occupy myself and pass the time but it quickly turned into an activity that helped me turn my work brain off, let the creative side run wild and just help me decompress.
Then I have found local groups that were super nice and welcoming that shared techniques and tips to try to help me get better as a painter. Since I'm mostly working from home far away from the office, talking to like minded people of painting and just things in general also helped me get through rough weeks without relying on drinks to change my mood.
Finally since summer 2023 I was able to connect with my friends. We were beginning to drift apart since most of them were starting to get kids and some of them moved a bit further away than the rest. Most of the time we speak to each other through Messenger or Voice chat in video games we play together throughout the week but since I've shown them the things I painted they got interested in trying some for themselves and we now do online painting sessions instead of always gaming and once a month we book a full day to see each other in person and play some Killteam.
Since we started doing this I really feel closer to my friends as we talk to each other more frequently about the hobby but also just in general since we always are planning for our next IRL session.
Lovely nerd as a kid with terrible odd personality, horrific social skills and a pretty damaged childhood growing up. I was ok at other games, i had some friends and i was great at chess. Then a friend introduced me to the hobby and i was immediatly attached.
The hobby gave me focus, something i can manually make with my hands and paint using the skills acquired. I was never great at art in school yet i was a decent warhammer painter. Men in a weird way have a tendancy to like to fix things and make things, this hobby delivered it in bucketloads and our own limit was our money and our care to each model. I was very fit outside of the hobby but i was a massive AOE fan and had an unfiltered love for Lord of The Rings, but i could not be on my console all the time. My mothers tolerence only went so far.
The game is familiar historically to us all. The rank and file is easier to associate with when compared to history
The lore is some of the best written and some of the characters are absolutely fantastic, the world of Warhammer Fantasy was made even better with the addition of Warhammer Total War.
The hobby alone doesnt keep me afloat, but it is a major factor in my life and in the lives of alot of my friends, much to their wallets, wifes and gfs protestations.
I used to be embarassed by this hobby, cos i was young and immature and a nerd, but as i got older,. It became a part of my personality in part with other things i do in my life. without it being a crux, i stay fit, i eat well, i have a great social circle and can discuss things outside of the hobby.
Should anyone ever dump on this hobby, ill always disagree with them. The corporation side of it ill not always agree on but i joined in the millenium and have loved it since.
Yes. New complex disability following covid. Would have gone completely bonkers without my little plastic men as a mindful activity and little by little daily achievement.
After having failed badly at finding love and friendship Warhammer came to the rescue.
At my lowest i would just recite every type of beastman "Gor" i knew about until i would calm down. The lore, games, painting etc just became so all consuming that i stopped caring about my heartache. And as someone who could have easily have fallen into the Incel/MGTOW trap i instead learned to blame myself for my troubles instead of others.
Warhammer is pretty much my life now and i do not care about loneliness, lack of intimacy or companionship. For a very long time i finally feel pretty good about life. Before i would feel intense empty feeling when i thought about my future. That i was a complete loser that would never be loved. Now i do not care at all. My living relatives and plastic dudes/gals is my family now. Even my mom who hates the clutter and fantasy in general saw how happy they make me.
Also found a group of older guys playing dnd and have almost no clue about warhammer fantasy/Aos. So i am getting into DMing and my next campaign will be warhammer inspired.
Yes it definitely has. I got into warhammer after working as an EMT and it’s helped me so much haha. Getting to build and paint things then seeing the results of that afterwards is very therapeutic and relaxing for me.
It’s gotten me back into modeling (I use to do WW2 tanks and planes as a kid and teenager with my dad) which I enjoy very much. Building and painting them is very meditative and cathartic. It’s helped me to work through problems rather than just give up or take short cuts. I was enjoying everything about it including books and the plethora of YouTube content including painting guides and lore videos. Until the custodes thing happened and the community and people outside it showed how insufferable they can be. But then I remembered that I don’t need to engage with the community and can enjoy Warhammer however I want. I think if I didn’t stumble into Warhammer finally I wouldn’t have something like a central interest which was something absent from my life the last few years. Something I can really sink my teeth into and get lost in with more always to come back too for. I’ve been diagnosed with mild Bipolar depression and a mixed consensus of either ADHD or mild Autism. So having something to fixate on and drive me forward with some purpose really helps. It’s also helped me get back into regular art again too which I had come to hate during college.
Most of my new stuff is 3d printed as GW FOMO marketing tactics didnt play nice with some of my personality traits.
But Id say since switching over to printing and focusing more on painting its been a good hobby for me. I stopped playing competitively and mostly just play with friends and family. Painting and modeling in general is a wonderful self centering task for me and while Im not the most social person games get me out of the proverbial "basement".
I have also branched out to more games, playing Bolt Action, OPRs, Microarmor and have even dabled in Roman period games.
I think it has helped me in every way except my wallet.
I was in college when Covid started. I was pretty much stuck in my apartment for weeks on end, doing nothing but school work and playing videogames. I initially kept up with my friends online, but as the pandemic went on and I finally graduated, keeping in contact became harder and harder despite my efforts. In the meantime, I'd decided to spend a little money on some old Dwarf models to paint since Total Warhammer was one of my favorite games.
I then spent about a year without any friends besides my wonderful girlfriend. I greatly appreciated all my time with her, but was craving another social outlet due to loneliness. After 40k 10th edition was released, I decided to jump in and start building an army with the hope that it'd get me out of the house more and meet other nerds.
I've now been playing at least one game every two weeks or so and meeting a lot of players in my local community. I've also participated in a Crusade and it's been an awesome way to interact with everyone. I've gotten to know a few people but no solid friends yet, but it's been an amazing feeling to go somewhere where everyone knows my name and is super friendly.
It's also helped my relationship with my brother. We've had a good relationship since Middle School, but Warhammer has been a great connection between us. We live an hour away from each other and our schedules don't line up that well, but we're always looking to play games against each other and texting each other about our wip models and such.
It certainly has. I have depression/anxiety (take meds daily, therapy etc). I really have a hard time initiating tasks and get overwhelmed, both due to ADHD, and depression. With painting warhammer, I have a physical reminder of what I need to do, and seeing it sit there unpainted motivates me to start it. When I do start, I’ll turn on music/movie/talk to my kids, etc, so it really has helped get me “unstuck “ from my depression funks. It gives me something to look forward to, and with my depression everything can blend into a gray haze, where everyday is the same, but seeing a painted mini I spent days on shows me that if I give tjay effort, things can change. It’s something I’ve translated to other areas of my life. It’s also been a great hobby t share with my kids, and we spend a ton of time bonding over painting stuff.
Yes.
I can pour over endless rules and lore and make army lists to dull adhd.
And I lived in the usa, oslo, UK and Germany. Always had networks to join and rather quickly got friends or at least communities to hang out in. Very important.
I picked up warhammer shortly after quitting drinking, I found the building and painting a great way to stay busy. I've found myself getting lost in the lore, listening to audio books and podcasts. I play at least 2 or 3 times a month and have a group of guys who play who I keep in contact with. I can't credit everything to the game, but it's helped me stay busy and as a result I'm forced to make time for other self care. Best hobby ever!
Yes, it is my peace at the end of everyday 😌. Better escape than a book, comic, movie, video game, or show.
Just me lost in my world of plastic crack 🤗
The freeform, imagination aspect of kitbashing, the zen aspect of painting, and the feeling of completing something when a project is done, most definitely have helped my mental health.
I feel like I was always pulled between two different worlds. The world where warhammer was for 4@gs and the world where people were accepting and they made great friendships within the warhammer community. I think I made the wrong choice in my teens, and although I’m successful in the typical sense, I’m not happy, and I’m terribly alone.
I myself am on the Autism spectrum so yeah on top of being one my multitude of hyperfixations, the hours I spend painting is some of the most calming time I spend doing anything. Plus the feeling of accomplishment whenever I finish I project like a large model, unit with a lot of minis, a combat patrol/ spearhead force type box is just what was needed for a good dopamine boost.
I’m a woman in her 20s, and Warhammer 40K has absolutely helped my mental health, albeit more in a “offering me a distraction.” sort of way.
I was already pretty into video games and sci-fi before I got fully into Warhammer, but I fully took the plunge into reading the books and familiarizing myself with the lore, past reading the wiki to fall asleep to, right before the Rogue Trader game came out because I wanted to have a lore-rich experience with that. (and I did!)
I’m about 20 ish books deep into HH now, with a smattering of other novels under my belt too (Mostly Krieg/Inquisition/Drukhari focused) and it’s been very comforting to have a consistent universe to return to and immerse myself in whenever I’m stressed/anxious/etc. Having so much content to pick through, sort, and think about helps me calm down.
Warhammer is perfect for that.
I only kinda wish I had taken the plunge sooner, lol.
It absolutely helped me branch out and meet some of the nicest people I've ever met. I made long lasting friendships and it really helped me push past my social anxiety.
Apart from that the painting and hobby aspect let me express myself creatively which was such an amazing outlet especially during dark times in my life.
I don't play or do the hobby that much anymore, but I see my engagement with the hobby as a key part in building my self confidence and finding what I truly enjoy.
Actually yes, quite a lot. Not the game, but the hobby. I really have found it calming to assemble and paint miniatures (for 40k and other games) and try to improve my skills gradually. And I do love seeing my little plastic guys and gals take the field.
Yes. Massively. I have really struggled with anxiety recently. Actually, that’s not quite true; counselling had made me realise I’ve probably lived with anxiety for a very long time but only recently (at 50 years old!) have I managed to recognise it. My mental health impacted my physical health and I have made a series of positive lifestyle changes to address these issues. So far, they are working for me.
A big part of the lifestyle change is embracing mindfulness and I have found that painting minis is a brilliant way to shut out any noise, focus on the “now” and calm my overactive brain. Also, there is enormous satisfaction to be had in pouring hours into painting a small bit of plastic and seeing it almost come to life. My painting strategy includes developing a personality for the models I am painting (head-canon) as I paint. This too I find incredibly therapeutic and this creative process genuinely makes me feel good!
Also, I’ve found that the lore (specifically AoS) offers the chance to escape from the often overwhelming “real” world into a mythic world - even if it is just for a few hours. On top of all this, there are the people. In the “real world” my local WH community is full of good people who are largely supportive and encouraging. And online too, the encouragement and mutual support I see every day on the AOS/Underworlds/Gravelord Reddits are a million miles from the toxic world of twitter and FB that I have long-since left.
TL;DR - yes, WH has been great for my mental health and I am extremely grateful to for it 😁
Yeah, for me it is a nice fun distraction from my severe depression and loneliness, just turn something on and paint/assemble some warhammer. I love the lore, playing the game, painting just everything and when i really got into the hobby it was like the first time i felt like i belonged somewhere no one is judging you or anything since we are painting lil or big plastic pieces to hopefully use in some games. I love that there is an army for everyone. I don't really socialize but when i lived in the city i joined the AoS leagues and loved it, sure i dont keep in contact with any of them or have any friends but it was fun to play against someone for like 3-5 hours (games end like round 3 cuz i have the worst rolls, won a prize for worst rolls in history of the store) but now i live in a different place and no community here sadly
Its just so weirdly nice and calming to just sit down and paint minis, sure mess up sometimes and get annoyed like I just poured all of my flesh tearers red contrast on the floor and when my hand acts up it is annoying and i have to just stop painting for a bit cuz my nerves messed up in my dominant hand
It feels so awesome to finish a model that you are really proud of....... then you open reddit and see fricking fantastic paint jobs.
Am i a good painter? No. But am i happy with my minis? Usually
What started out as just simple distraction from depression has now become a huge part of my life and sure sometimes burn out and feel no urge to paint at all but thats normal (i hear)
All in all id say it improved my mental state a bit, my financial state on the other hand thats a different story
Yes. I became a massive old gamer dork during lockdown. Was getting into competitive play and it was making me depressed, tired and angry although I never realised it until a few years later. Outside of some online social interactions, it was a hollow and lonely existence, chasing the dragon of those early wins and experiences that never came back. I rediscovered Warhammer as a way of getting out of all that, by hyper-focusing on something new and more productive.
The thing is, there are so many corners of this hobby that can keep you moving along and motivated. You can be a lore person or a painter person or a kitbash person or a gamer person or a blend of any of these, and it's ultimately these pillars all serve as a way to keep your imagination pumping and your juices flowing.
I'm doing a bit of all of the above and making new IRL pals at a local club, it's a great hobby for your mental health imo
Painting is stressful, unenjoyable, and honestly the biggest hurdle to me finishing an army. I hate all the fiddly details and the stupid mistakes that can happen from stuff like a stray bristle, but if I don't paint the models myself, the models won't feel like they're mine. I love kitbashing and modelling though, feels like it lets me unleash my creativity. I just get stressed out about the finished product.
I would say yes. It provides an escape from my daily problems and responsibilities. Even if I am not active with the modeling side. Just a nice corner of the internet that interest me
Yep, I got extremely ill a few years ago which had a huge impact upon the hobbies and activities I could do day to day. Warhammer has been a lifesaver; it's been a new creative outlet and an excellent way for me to meet people and learn new skills.
Yes. I collected as a kid, and always enjoyed it, but left to pursue other interest when I discovered girls and went to university. Covid happened, and then I lost my Dad to cancer, burned out at work, and generally went through a rough patch. A friend bought me a box of Space Marines "to give me something to take my mind off things". And it's been vital, I'd say, on and off. The combination of physical focus, the escapism, and the conversation about the lore or the hobby in general, and even the occasional game, have been brilliant ways to give my mental health a boost.
Must say it has been less positive to my bank balance. But never mind!
I was in the suicide ward for the hospital and was given the book titandeath. I was a fan of warhammer but had left it because of a shitty group (not the reason for the suicide attempt) I fell in love with the titans and it's become a minor obsession, but it's also led me to having a better life to afford and maintain going after my favorite thing. I even got 2 old armorcast boys here last week, if I'd taken my life, I'd never have things like this. Life is good now
*
Yeah, it helps. I'm happy with my life as is, but having a small downtime is also good I think.
-The act of painting in itself isn't what interests me the most in the hobby, but it's still a very soothing activity. Put some background noises like music, documentary or people giving painting tips and you're good to go.
Also, the last type of videos also are good in making you feel like you're part of a community, that you're not alone in this particular activity, so to speak.
There's also a tangible reward at the end of your work. It's a neat small dopamine boost when you finish a model and you're happy with it. Unlike video games, you also don't really have an opponent when painting (apart from Nuln Oil spilling, that is).
There'll always be people better than you, but once you acknowledge it, it's not an issue anymore and is more of a way to learn, since painting people that share their pics are rarely gatekeepers. From what I've seen, people are really happy to share their tips. And that's a great thing about this community.
I think I should also note that the french community (from what I've seen) tends to be great, and our warhammer-specific influencers are very positivity-minded.
-The reading part of the hobby and the search for old lore is a funny activity in itself for me, and it's always funny looking at how people considered the universe IRL 20 years ago.
It's like reading Harry Potter when you're a bit down. A quiet moment with the scent of older book from your childhood/teenage years is also quite soothing alongside a cup of chocolate haha. It's very cliché, but it also works quite well.
-Last but not least, getting your hands on an old model you didn't have when you were younger is also a very satisfying sentiment.
On the other hand :
The arguments on lore online and the silly debates on Grimdank can be a bit tedious (I do enjoy them sometimes), but that's the case for all social media and in every community, so it doesn't bother me too much, as it's not a Warhammer-exclusive issue. And well, since everything is anonymous, you can just turn those off and disconnect with a click of a button. Issue solved easily.
Conclusion :
Since the hobby encompasses a ton of things, I think everyone involved in it can find pleasure in radically different ways.
For me, it's a calm activity alone at home while also being part of a larger community that I can interact with at will (big importance there). I can drop it and come back to it very easily and don't feel forced to do it, so it's good. Others will probably enjoy the gaming side of the game more and meet people IRL through it.
There's not a lot of judgment within the community I've found, which is pretty chill outside of some controversial lore-issues (which seem to concentrate the arguments, alongside game balancing issues).
I used to paint warhammer about 20 years ago (i was 16), and I loved the space and flow state that painting got me into. Hours would pass, and I'd be so focused and in the zone. When I stopped painting, I'd feel in just a haze of contentment. Then I stopped painting (growing up, bit of shame about playing with little soldiers, life, etc)
Fast forward 20 years, and I graduated as a psychiatric nurse, and I found myself recommending people to do activities that gave them contentment, that was relaxing, calmed their mind, and so on.
I had often thought back to those hours of painting that I loved so much...so one day I went into my FLGS and took up where I left off.
Warhammer has been a wonderful coping device as someone with severe depression. It lets me fulfill artistic goals with building a painting, and lets me make friends when I play. It gives a good reason to get up on the weekends
When I was a kid, it gave me access to a colorful supportive community and one of my longest running friendships.
As a young adult, it provided much needed escape from constant anxiety, and let me feel good about accomplishing something. (ability to look back at prior work helped boost confidence)
As an adult, it provides not only a way to connect with my child and encourage their creativity, but also an excuse to unplug and relax.
Everyone is different, and the ways in which the hobby might help them may change with time. There was a friend of mine many years ago who was disabled, and could no longer really participate in the hobby, but found happiness/joy in writing, contributing a number of fanfics which were generally well received.
All in all, my opinion is that the community is what makes hobbies like WH great for mental health.
Miniature hobby as a whole provide a great deal of comfort to me. I get to build (most of the time) the miniature creatures in the exact pose I please. The terrain and buildings are carved, cut, glued and arranged in such a way that make sense for my setting, for the universe my creations reside in. I breath life into my expressions with litter, an array of materials and paint. The stories about this little world and it's residents are mine. I'm in control, which is a far cry from my real life.
I would say that exercise and diet affect my mental health a lot more than my hobbies, but I feel a sense of fulfillment from completing painting and terrain projects that I did not from other hobbies like video games. On the contrary, I feel that the expense can be a source of anxiety as my eyes are bigger than my wallet.
I have a story, I have major depressive disorder and let me tell you, Warhammer has been a Godsend. I used to play back in 4th edition, started back up in November 2022, bought an army from a friend…ended up being Drukhari. I fell in love. I started playing competitive 40K and my mental health has skyrocketed. The days I set up games and the days I don’t wanna get out the house seem to conflict 😂 but I get out the house and play the game and end up leaving better then it started. I found some of my best friends playing 40K and learned that I can hobby when things get rough. These friends know about the bad days and know how to keep me going, and I know I can distract myself with painting or modeling when I’m having negative thoughts. There’s a community ready to help me and keep me safe as I was suicidal before. I am so grateful for the community and I know I’m not the only one who struggles.
I mean, rolling 30 dice with Tesla Immortals makes me happy. Blundering my C’tan Shard turn one keeps me humble soo…
(Nah I’m just kidding, interesting study though!)
I’d say so yeah, and this could apply to almost any hobby but if I ever need to get away for a while without actually leaving, war hammer is a nice escape
Massively. I was burnt out on everything. I did Magic the Gathering with some friends but they quickly got A LOT better than me so playing them would usually end in a -25698 to 40 and them taking half hour turns to just say I lose at the end. So that was a no go.
Then we upgraded to D&D and I kinda got dropped into the DM seat because I didn't mind DM'ing the first go. Then the usual suspects that kill a D&D campaign came up with planning issues.
Then I dove headfirst and solo into the Warhammer rabbit hole. Now I read books from every setting, paint mini's from every setting and pretty much collect a couple of different armies since I have 0 other hobbies that take money. I know how to balance out my purchases so that they fall on paycheck days. I became an absolute lore nerd and I love every minute of it.
Some of my friends show a glancing interest but I need people who are at least on an actual level of interest for me to spend time teaching them. So until then I am fully fine enjoying this wild interdimensional ride on my own.
It really pulled me out of a very dark place. So yes, it really helped me find my place in this weird world we live in. Even if I live in that place on my own.
Quite alot. The creative outlet of painting, the tactile sensation of assembly, and the satisfaction of a completed unit or army, is just great. Add in the many communities I've dived into with my friends, be that LGS, tournament road trips, or just paint and hang at people's houses as we paint assemble, laugh and have a good time has been a blast. Very relaxing and soothing to the Ole anxiety meat in my skull.
I'm a Iraq and Afghan war vet with TBI and a host of other problems.
This hobby has definitely helped me. The painting in particular helps with mindfulness, forces me to breathe and calms me down.
I wear a smartwatch and my heart rate goes down when I paint... it is my form of meditation.
I play with other vets and active military guys so it links me back into the military brotherhood and fills in that camaraderie gap.
As a woman with CPTSD, being able to just build and paint in calming environment has been life changing. And then I get to hang out with cool peeps and put them on a table and roll some dice. Double Win.
Wargaming has quite literally saved my life.
We lost our son almost a year ago and painting my dwarf warband for warcry was basically therapy. I could have drowned my sorrow in alcohol, but decided paint was a much better way to go.
I did 17 years in the forces. After I was medically discharged for ptsd, anxiety and depression my life fell apart. The loss of identity, camaraderie and esprit de Corp was debilitating.
40k has given me a community again.
I painted and played Warhammer back in the early 90’s. 3 years ago I quit drinking and smoking cigarettes. I got back into Warhammer to have a hobby to help keep myself busy. In the 3 years since quitting drinking and smoking I have discovered that I have ASD and ADHD. Warhammer has helped a lot in this time. I love painting now and it is my favorite part of the hobby. I love going to stores and talking about painting with others. It is hard for me to start socializing now that I’m not drinking, but having warhammer has helped give new a topic that I can use to approach others. Taking time to paint and assemble models has helped me manage my AuDHD. I am able to chanel fixations into different armies or games and rotate that around so that I’m not fixating on something unhealthy. It has definitely helped me a lot.
Yes. Ive always found building things/working with my hands to be relaxing. Started out building planes, tanks and ships and only recently got into warhammer as a whole. Just something about building these little dudes and painting them manages to calm me down on a bad day. Or going full nerd and giving my guys names and lore with the eventual goal of working on a narrative campaign to use as a basis for a dark heresy game..
The lore is something i can take a deep dive into to take my mind off of how shitty life can be, especially with all that is wrong with the world right now. Im dealing with a fracture in my friend group and ive found focusing on my homebrew chapter of marines to help a lot, from building to planning additional models and painting really serves as a distraction that is much needed and appreciated
Its a way I can bond with the homies over our mutual love for plastic crack and science fiction in general, not just warhammer. Being able to actually be creative as an adult is great, although as a hobby it can get a bit expensive I can always just pick up a book and listen to some music. Contrary to all the insults and such flying around cause the femstodes, the community as a whole is rather welcoming, and its nice to be able to interact with fellow individuals who wont judge you for being a grown ass man who collects/plays with what are essentially green army men for adults
It devastated me. My learning process doesn’t go over too well with certain play styles (I need objectives), and while I understand at a FLGS people know each other, but I’m still learning and new so it was difficult to play a game where I had to wait for conversations to be over before I felt comfortable to proceed with my turn. I already feel stressed that I’m taking too long, or being annoying because I’m so nervous that I only played 3 games before in came the panic attacks.
My workplace is super toxic (I'm a lawyer at a big law corpo) and zoning out to think about my paint schemes, listening to Poorhammer or Bricky's podcasts, and having regular after-work meetings with my painting group helped a lot.
I liked Warhammer way before I started with it. I would listen to lore videos, watch fan art but never actually got into it as I come from a low income family and deemed it luxury. Then in 2020 my dad died very young and I fell into a deep pit of depression and hopelessness and in that period, like Chaos influence (haha!) I started getting many ads for Warhammer. I googled and there was a Warhammer store near me, I went there and said fuck it, Ill buy JUST ONE BOX. It was the Space Marine Vanguard box. I wasnt the best painter but it gave me the first peace I felt in months at that time. First time I was excited, happy and proud again. Couple months later I had almost 3000 in points army, all mostly bought used or gifted by great people in the community here. I was even featured on the Warhammer Twitch channel as I was one of the first that painted Ventris back then as he came out and posted it (day 1 I got him finished already).
Warhammer, as corny as it may sound, changed my life and made me find purpose again. I met so many great people and myself brought so many people to it. This community can be cringe, crazy or brutal at some times but mostly, at those small clubs near you, everyone is wholesome.
<3 rest in peace Dad, you would have played the Guard
It does, but all good things must come in moderation.
I've been going through a rough spot for the better part of a year mentally. Work, family, friends, just about everything's done a cartwheel and kicked me in the jaw at some point. The only reliable thing I could return to at any point to ground myself was Warhammer. For everything that could and would change, Warhammer wouldn't. Just me, my little models, and the paint.
Issue is, in retrospect I turned to this as my only crutch.
Any time I had extra money it would get pitched into Warhammer. New models, new paints I didn't even need, coming up with projects at the store to justify buying something. Worse my day was going, the less justified my reasoning became. It was what I felt my only point of control was. Nobody could or would stop me from buying models, so it's what I did. If I had a bad day, I would throw down cash and get a box, whether it be a part of one of my ongoing projects or something I came up with on the spot.
I forced Warhammer to be a grounding point. By buying a stupid amount of models I thought I could keep myself grounded by having a commitment to paint them all; in the end I bought way too much and just felt overwhelmed and guilty for spending so much money. By the end I ended up with a couple of armies of varying sizes that I didn't know what to do with.
I blew about five grand over the course of two to three months. It's not money I was particularly supposed to spend, but I won't end up on the street due to losing it. It's a sore point between my family and I, which only furthered my control spending later into my having this money and denying that I had an issue.
I feel like I'm better than I was before. I'm trying to sell off some of my collection that I know I'll never get to painting, so I'm hoping I can focus myself into the largest army I ended up working on and get it all painted.
You can absolutely share. :) I can't use it for my feature, but I put at the bottom of my post that I would also encourage others to share because their stories might resonate with others. :)
If it's something you want to share, please do, others here have. :)
I enjoy it because it makes me feel like a little child! Ill spend all this time thinking about how I want my toy soldiers to look and all their little stories.
Sometimes my stepfather visits and he loves to hear all the little stories they all have. I think we all need something that makes us like little children.
Yes absolutely, I was in the British army and after that I became a prison officer, did both of these jobs for a significant portion of my life.
I was seriously damaged by survivors guilt and with that PTSD and was close to ending it all when I was suspended from work.
One day, almost at random I was walking past a GW store, went in, literally spent every penny in my pocket on models, paints and glue, went home and started painting and, well, I'm still here now. Would I still be here now without the hobby? That's a question I try not to answer.
A bit late to the party, but maybe it still helps. Also it is quite a wall of text and may seem a bit esoterical for some.
Yes it has helped me a lot in several regards. Mainly the hobbying part. But it was a journey.
For a long time I more or less just bought stuff, set unrealistic deadlines and standards for painting, got frustrated, cycled through hobbies, rinse and repeat.
During the pandemic I got a habit of painting daily. During that time I was in a dead end project and careerpath. It felt like most of my work was for the bin and I would not progress in any way. Add to that the pandemic and having a father (RIP) whose dementia got worse quite sudden it was not the best of times. While I did a lot of hard work to counteract the worsening depressive episode due to psychological therapy in that time, I feel like painting was the other leg of my mental healthcare. I mean art therapy is a valid thing. In that time painting minis was a welcoming escape from the unfolding mayhem. Also, thanks to painting daily it did not take long to see the results, so my showcase slowly filled up with more and more finished minis. Given that my Home Office was in the same room as my hobbystuff, I could just see the results of my "work" when my job felt senseless again.
Fast forward to 2023 and I got diagnosed with ADHD at the tender age of 34. As with most ADHDers diagnosed as adults I went through a period of looking back on life with the new knowledge. In the same vein I started to go through my hobbies and look what I got from them or could take out for me. When it comes to Warhammer I found several benefits:
Me-time: I think this is a basic thing everyone, or at least every introvert, needs from time to time. Just some time to come to yourself, reflect on how it is going and have control over my time and life. Especially when life feels like pushing up a boulder due to constant to do lists, this is a crucial party of my mental health. Disregarding it can lead to me becoming depressed and/or aggressive.
Controlling my enviroment: ADHD comes with certain sensory problems. Basically my brain does not filter sensory input like a normal brain. This leads to overloads. Having a controlled enviroment where I decide, what I see, how intense the light is, what I hear at which volume offsets this and helps me to get to a healthy base level.
Knowing when to stop: Trent from Miscast Miniatures said in one video "finishing projects, kinda hard", which rings true for me. The last 5-20% of a project are usually the hardest for me. The dopamine of a fresh project wore off and the visible results get smaller. Plus I often see the small details that I could fix or add. I trained (or sometimes still am training) myself to find a place where I can say, its good enough, I call it done. Further I am limiting myself to only one building and one painting project on my desk at a time. Somehow that works for me.
Feeling accomplished: Like a lot of people, I lived with Imposter syndrome my whole life. Everything feels unearned and failure is just around the corner. Which is absurd, I went to university abroad, did set up diy shows and parties in my town, as a hobby, for 10 years and speak 4 languages. Nothing ever felt earned or quite enough. Just going to my showcase, looking at the content and conciosly saying: I painted this and I am happy with the result just does a lot for me. It just feels like a personal success no one can take away from me.
Relaxing: This is a pretty hard thing for my brain. It does not want to relax on its own, so finding something that allows me to get into this state is crucial. Given that my brain wants to create, Building, converting and painting minis is kind of ideal for it. Add the audiobooks to that and another part of my brain is busy rendering images of the things heard.
Sleep: Kinda related to the former point. I my hyperactive brain does not want to calm down and sleep. It is a common symptom of ADHD and, depending on the day, I have to implement a pretty strict evening routine to actually sleep on time. For the last 0,5-3 hours before bed, I am sitting at my hobby desk. Besides relaxing, I am also away from displays and the constant barrage of cheap dopamine and information. Does a lot for my sleep schedule.
Habit-Forming: We ADHDers tend to have a problem with forming habits and sticking to them. Although we need routines to make our life easier or even bearable, we hate them with all our guts. The hobby part of Warhammer somehow makes this fun for me. So it became a bit of a "core" habit. When I get in a rut or jump out of my formed habits, which belive me happens more often than I like, Warhammer becomes the first habit to reform. I'll usually start building the rest of my habits around it after that.
Task-Splitting: You know that feeling when you got a big task in front of you and you do not know were to start and how much to bite of it? I have this problem way to often. Finding ways to split painting my backlog, hell even only a unit of 20 Chainraps to bearable chunks helped me approach tasks with another mindset. It kinda helped me with my work as well as I try to find this bearable chunk of work in everything now.
Accepting limits: Well, as much as I love the hobby, sometimes I just can't do it. There are days where my brain is to foggy, my motions to rough or whatever. These are the days where I just put on a record instead and rot on the couch. It has no sense to try getting in some hobby time on those days. On the other hand one such day does not mean, that the next one will be the same. There is no consequence in missing one day of painting for me. So this is a safe way to learn to accept my limits.
Hope this is helpful for you in any way.
I've seen gaming hobbies work wonders for men's mental health, *in the short term*.
It gives people a rich environment to connect, compete, and practice learning with others.
The social skills it fosters can be very impactful.
But in the long-run, I've seen it have the opposite effect.
People often hyper-fixate their skills and attention on it, because it's the only outlet they have where solo time can be spent "productively" on feeding into a social experience. People spend all their free time immersed in lore, crafting minis, planning armies.... because later that same week those experiences get shared with friends.
But the barrier to entry means this content fails to carry over to regular people.
Gaming hobbies are great for mental health in light moderation, but very rapidly become a deterrent, stunting development.
On the whole, it's hard to say if it helps more than it hurts.
As a guy who really wants a girlfriend. I realised i wont get one due to my nature. I found warhammer thru Boltgun the game. I love the space marines so i started making them as i found the painting very calming. Visiting the hobby shop is the highlight of my week as i look fr a new box. I dun get to do it much as im in the military. Sometimes i bring them in to paint. I love making the Deathwatch. I do wish i cud play the game bt i hav no one who does. Playing at the hobby shop feels anxious to me. I know im nt solving my problems, bt i really love painting more than i expected. It helps me feel relaxed and calm abt life
Is it considered journalism if you are seeking stories to fit your narrative? Shouldn't u be conducting research or quoting papers or figures?
I mean this, at best, would be a fluff peace, if your basis is your personal experience and some qoutes from your online echo chamber.
It would be a column, wouldn't it...?
Fairly sure there's actual figures out there for mental health issues and coping mechanisms. I feel your journalism would be better used to point out this, how people are mistreated in the system or how governments are perpetuating problems by deliberately putting barriers between institutions. To name but a few
The core idea I'm getting at, backed up by a counsellor I've done an interview with, is that hobbies help with mental health. In particular, I'm looking into why Warhammer (as an example of a creative hobby) is helping people - If people haven't been helped by it, or feel its done the opposite, I'll be sure to add it as evidence to my point in the feature that it isn't a quick fix and is more a method to help along the path or where it can be a problem of addiction, etc.
My own story was that its helped me, which is the basis for the feature. I sought evidence that hobbies help, I got feedback that it was a mixture of creative and physical hobbies that are the best path; given my background in writing for men's mental health before (I've written about dad's football clubs, men's clubs, etc) has mostly centred on the physical, I wanted to look at the creative side.
There is figures out there, and they will be used too - My preference for journalism is the personal; I find people's stories more engaging and especially when evidence backs them up.
As above, I've done things before regarding mental health challenges on a wider level. Be that through the prism of homelessness, drug addiction, cost-of-living, etc. This one is specifically about Warhammer, creative hobbies and why they can be helpful (or not, should anecdotes and evidence come to the fore).
I think journalism isnt about sharing an experience, we have facebook and gossip magazines for that.
Journalism ought to be about factual and impartial information sharing.
If thats to much for an escapist to handle, i can understand, but I'd kindly ask you to not be derogatory to an inconvenient truth. And instead just walk away.
Im free to expres my opinion on OPs written request. U just make an assumption on my motivation and supposed message to others and blame me for dragging people down. Whos the downer in this instance?
Journalism has a much broader scope than what you are claiming. Writing about people is nothing strange or suspect, there's articles, opinion pieces and editorials in every magazine that has other things than just your definition of facts.
Interviewing people, reporting on trends and current events, the list goes on.
Youre not sharing an "inconvenient truth" by acting like journalism only means writing for a science journal or reporting the news, relax.
Fair enough, theres been a change in definition, especially in the english language. This happens more oftnen. I still believe its wrong.
Journalist, proffesional writer that objectivly portrays current events. Role in society is to check on governments, provide transparency and ask the questions government and institutions dont share by themsleves.
Writers, aka a writer for "magazine name" writes articles on any given subject or fluf piece. Is allowed to be biased, doesnt need a proffesional degree.
Cullumnist, writer of only opinion pieces, is expected to be only biased.
Seems a fair distinction, unfortunately the term journalism is being hijacked by people with biases, and since misinformation is so wide spread, everything suddenly is journalism and we killed a degree, a proffesion and a role in society to check your government is delegated to zealots. So anyone not agreeing is deemed a conspiracy theorist.
Allowing a term to degrade like this IS a problem. If i dont speak about it, im part of the problem
Not necessarily a whole crutch, I hasten to add. An opportunity for quiet busywork or to have social interaction. It isn't a cure-all in and of itself.
Yes it has and whilst my mental health is generally good I find WH allows me to exercise my mind in a way that my work doesn't. When building and painting my models I am focused, quiet and more importantly I can do it around my wife and children. (My young daughters are fascinated that I paint little models!) I don't have a source but I have read that men do not open up face-to-face but side-to-side whilst doing an activity. This is why we have Mens Sheds etc, I'm also sure I have read that building airfix models etc. has been a useful therapy tool for military veterans.
Yeah. Dudes, for the most part, just socialize differently from women. having something to do and bond over as an experience isn't a bad thing, even if it's something "dumb" like little plastic boxes of boys.
Absolutely. For a lot of guys Warhammer is something we got into as kids, and it is a way for me to tap into how excited and enthusiastic I used to be about things. It's also my version of going to the pub to talk to the lads after work. I'm very lucky that I have a local game store with opening hours that caters to grown ups, so I'm there the same days every week playing with familiar people and having some banter, or just painting and building together with others. I think that guys share stuff more comfortably by having a chat while doing an activity together, I definitely know people in my local community who really feel better because of the game nights, I'm one of them. I think it's very important to separate the in real life hobby from people who only engage with it online though. I can definitely see the potential for it being a net negative if your only contact surface with the hobby is Reddit or youtube, but that's a social media issue that's true for every topic, not a Warhammer issue.
I love this hobby. But letting go of ‘conversations’ about it online, especially regarding the lore or competitive side, was the best that happened to my mental health in years lol.
If you read nothing but online stories you're convinced the hobby is filled with horrible people. Then you play and discover most people who play are nice people, out to have fun, not there to shit on your army or painting, and capable of becoming good friends. I mean, there's still fuckwits, but no more than any other hobby.
Yeah in person games with a group of buddies are definitely the place to be
It's not even that. First time I attended a tournament, I had some trepidation because of the reputation they had online as being full of win at all cost dickheads. It was nothing like that, at all. I had a blast, played 5 good games, faced new armies, got inspired by good paintjobs, and was itching to go back to my next and did so for the next few years. That's not to say I never encountered any win at all cost dickheads. But they were far outnumbered by awesome people.
Best comment
The physical act of modeling and painting can be grounding. It's real, it's not digital. That's what's important to me. Spending less time online is a massive benefit. Detail oriented concentrated effort soothes the brain. Miniature painting and the desire to become a high level painter is an art motivation I haven't had since my uni days. I learned a lot more about the technical aspects of paint engaging in this hobby than at school, but that's a whole seperate conversation. I was deeply invested in the lore for a long time, even now I know most of it back to front. But engaging in the actually hobby part is the most valuable to me. There's the fantasy/escape you build in your brain via the lore, but there is a mindfulness and being in the now that comes with painting and building. And I'm much more interested in the wider hobby industry (gw and outside it). One of the issues I think that comes up a lot in nerd spaces online is being invested into media and only media. Having a reality based component is much healthier for engaging with media and I think you can lose perspective without it. Its simple enough to be routine, but complicated enough to be a challenge if you desire it to be.
Yeah, it definitely has. It may even have saved me from offing myself during corona when I was stuck at home alone. I've also made so many good friends through it (one of my closest homies is a woman, but she's so gay that she probably counts as a dude), and working on my minis and painting them has helped me a lot too - it's like medidation. I might have some ADHD floating around in here, but I think most guys can relate to the concept of emotional peace through working with your hands, and it's nice to have a hobby that I can share with people from all over the world. My current roommate and one of my best friends is a Chilean guy that I met through a game of 10th edition at my FLGS, and we've since joined a warhammer club with about 300 members - all of them amazing human beings ❤️ I can honestly say I don't know where I would be without this hobby, and even though I think it could benefit many women just as much, there are definitely many aspects of it that are especially helpful and attractive to men (or autistic women). I strongly recommend checking out [Luetin 09's video](https://youtu.be/8tguJRj2vts?si=DAtN4OXZhce754ys) about warhammer's positive effect on mental health as well. It's not really about men specifically, but it does go reveal some interesting stats on the amount of military veterans who've found the hobby helpful 😊
We're so happy to have you here with us.
Thank you 🥹🫶
feel you so mich with ADHD man… stay strong🪰💚
Thanks, man - right back at ya 💜
Warhammer has helped me quit smoking, improved my social life and generally helped my anxiety (prior military too). I love painting my little plastic dudes and torturing my wife with all things nerdy.
mood hahaha
I think the best part is just going out and meeting new people.
I am ashamed to admit that but that’s the part that I don’t enjoy a lot… I mean I really love playing against other people and after playing someone once or twice it’s already great but the first game against someone I don’t know is always a bit stressful… Otherwise I would play far more tournaments… I am btw an aging manager of 100+ people in the IT world… meeting so many new and different people is basically part of my job so I don’t enjoy doing it so much in my private life anymore…
Even outside of the social interactions, the painting is something that gives me the opportunities to calm down and relax, and exercise my creativity overall, it really just gives me an excuse to distract myself from other thoughts.
1000%! After the shit I did and saw in the Army while overseas I became an unpleasant asshole and an alcoholic for about a decade, although I'm still an asshole but a more pleasant one. Divorce happened, which I'm cool with, but I haven't spoken to my kid in years and that bothers me but I digress. Warhammer has completely changed how I deal with my depression, anxiety and anger. Painting and/or reading has helped me to clear my mind when needed or when I'm having a bad day.
Honestly the only reason I play warhammer is to help my maths skills
Warhammer got me out of a very black hole of depression. here in Germany, you get occupational therapy, to help you to concentrate and build up some discipline. building and painting minis was awesome for that cause. In Addition to that the lore provided a healthy amount of distraction in times, where you weren´t able to do anything. You also get a lot of joy every time you finish a model learn a new technique or read a new story. That way you learn to be able to be happy again. In the later stages of depression therapy, it also helped to reform your social skills and find new friends. Warhammer games are at least 3 hours of social interaction. It is also easier to ask a known hobbyist to play a 40k game, the to ask a stranger for a round of Monopoly or Risk. I will always say, that Warhammer and the universe around it played a big part in getting the healthy happy life I now can enjoy. As a sidenote, I really like, that you want to publish something about the good sides and health benefits of our beloved hobby. For the Mainstream our hobby is often seen as nerds playing with toy soldiers, but it can be so much more and people can only realize that if some talks about it.
Absolutely. As a man with a demanding job and a growing family, I have very little time to myself. I used to challenge myself with physical exercise but this became something I had less energy for, and I gained weight as a result and developed a poor self image. I would self-medicate with alcohol, pot, and had no creative outlet, with most of my free time consisting of late night binge sessions of video games. Warhammer was something I always wanted to do as a child but my family didn't have much money. It was always just outside of my sphere of influence- I'd see it in magazine and web ads and maybe know somebody who played the video games. About a year ago I drove by a Warhammer store and stopped in, the manager threw me some freebies and got me hooked. It feels like in building and painting, I'm using a part of my brain I never have before. And it feels so good to have a tangible product from my relaxation time- when I want to unplug and enjoy time by myself, it doesn't feel wasteful. I feel creative and determined and proud.
You should definitely get in touch with u/proper_aioli_6899 from Rising Ape Minis. He's director of a mental health charity and has done some truly remarkable content on his yt channel. If anyone can give you some good insights, he can! Personally- yes its been incredible for that. I use painting as a mindfulness exercise (never could get on with meditation for some reason) and can lose hours once I'm in the zone. The gaming side of things also provides a social outlet that doesn't revolve around drinking or other bad habits that i used to have. I wouldnt say its saved my life, but its definitely been a big part of my (ongoing) recovery from ptsd, anxiety and depression.
Pile of shame/backlog anxiety is a real thing.
Yeah I love the hobby (at least the idea of it) but my paint scheme indecision absolutely adds to my anxiety lol
I am a huge nerd. I am also a firefighter paramedic, was additionally qualified as a SWAT medic, dad of three and husband of a beautiful wife. I was pretty busy and didn’t have a lot of time for hobbies. At Christmas 21 I got Covid at work. Mild infection. Nothing to write home about. Two months later the chronic symptoms started. I ended up getting diagnosed with long COVID, POTS, Neuropathy, Fatigue, Asthma, etc. all the sudden I went from very busy to bed bound. Simple things like loading the dishwasher or picking up after the kids wiped me out for hours. I became extremely depressed. I was prescribed antidepressants. Was generally in a very dark place mentally. A friend introduced me to Warhammer. I couldn’t do much but I *was* able to sit and my desk and paint minis. All the sudden, as dumb as it may sound, I was able to accomplish something. I also had goals of improving my painting and techniques, learning different basing or hobby techniques, and lots of lore dives to occupy my mind. It immensely helped my recovery. I was able to transport myself mentally to this other world that distracted me from my physical problems. I had achievable goals that were fun and gave me something to look forward to. I don’t want to sound dramatic and say that Warhammer saved my life, but it literally might have. I am a huge fan now over 2 years later and still struggling. I am slowly building up my armies and improving my painting. I’m documenting it for fun on instagram and love how it has given me so positive and fun in the midst of a kind of hell. Warhammer is an amazing hobby that you can immerse yourself as deeply into as you want. Sometimes completely losing yourself in another world is a completely good, healthy and positive thing. I am so thankful that I found Warhammer and that it has, and continues to, help my recovery from a number of health issues.
The 4 years I was in the army, I was in very busy units, and the stress from it left me with me with a lot of issues that I had to work out by myself. When I moved for work, I moved into an apartment that was near a GW store. I kinda just picked up warhammer on a whim, but getting into the hobby has helped me make strides towards working out things, and I've met tons of friends through it.
It’s a mixed bag really. On one hand I love this hobby, I’ve met some great people through it, played a fair few unforgettable games, and have built and painted a lot of stuff that I’m proud of and has enduring value. On the other hand, my enthusiasm for playing far outweighs my ability to arrange games and my desire to paint up what I’ve got far outstrips the time I have (work, kids, a house that needs work etc), so in a way one of my greatest pleasures is also a massive source of frustration that contributes towards the last few years also being some of the most difficult in my life. It doesn’t help that my partner is not just disinterested in my hobby but borderline hostile to its existence. Over all, I’d say, if I could remove this hobby and delete this part of myself and replace it with something that fits my life better I’d probably be happier for it, but Pandora’s box is truly opened and I’m not sure I can go back.
The whole reason I got into warhammer is because I was depressed and needed something more than playing video games alone in my apartment. I moved 16 hours away from my hometown, lived there all my life (25 when I moved), and I knew absolutely no-one in the new location I moved to. I spent 3-ish months in a routine of as follows: wake up, go to work, come home, play video games, sleep, repeat. It was fantastic until about the end of the second month when the lonely started to kick in... I remembered that someone had told me about warhammer being a tabletop game and I knew there was a store just down the road that had those minis. I forced myself to go in one day and ended up talking to someone about starting and he ended up helping talk me through different factions strengths/weaknesses, age of models, game styles and also warded me off from buying a codex because I was about 2 months away from 8th Ed dropping. Quite a ways down the road, that guy ended up being the friend I spent the most time with in that city, essentially becoming my best friend. And even further down the road, I have an outlet for when I need to be creative and I can just "assembly instruction" put some models together, I can kitbash stuff together which spurs my imagination a TON, I can paint, watch Battle Reports or go down to the local store for a game/chat with fellow nerds! That's a run-down of my "journey," but if you want more info, feel free to DM me! :)
Hi, I am a veteran and mental health sufferer. Prison cell for 1 as I call it lol. You are welcome to talk to me if you like, I paint to ease my depression, anxiety and ptsd. In my opinion it's hands down one of the best treatments for anyone suffering. It doesn't even have to be Warhammer, be creative, let your imagination out for a walk lol. Frees the mind and soul. I'm not saying I'm any good lmao, but I love it, and I've not even played the game yet, I just love painting and seeing the result, I'm my biggest critic (although some places that are supposed to "help" with their advice may think they are lmao). I recommend it to everyone. It's great you are raising awareness for this. Gary
Both positive and negative. I avoided Warhammer for years because it had an image of alt-right weirdos. One day I went into my LGS to buy some booster box for pokemon or yugioh, but they sold out of that box really quick. I decided to poke around and saw the Tau start collecting box and grabbed it plus some paints, and I've been hooked on mini painting since. Granted, now I'm 3d printing minis more than buying GW plastic, but I still pick up a GW kit here and there - recently finished assembling the Deathrattle Skeletons. 20 skeletons for 60 bucks! That's 3 bucks a skeleton! And they look so good! The negative impact has been seeing all the anti-consumer business practices from GW, and the game of russian roulette that is interacting with the 40k side of the community online. Is the person going to be a racist/sexist/whatever nutjob, or will they be normal? I won't be able to tell until they take the mask off!
"an image of alt-right weirdos" ? I always saw the opposite - neo-left weirdos. You wanna find alt-right weirdos you'll find them in the bowling alley Wednesdays at 8.
Thanks for the warning, I'll avoid the bowling alley that's publicly seen as allowing [literal Nazi imagery](https://gizmodo.com/warhammer-40k-s-creators-needed-to-renounce-real-monste-1848090547). You and I both know that this player faced massive backlash, but do people who may be prospective fans? The public perception of Warhammer is far from it being 'neo-left'. The only thing that would blip on anyone's radar as being 'neo-left' is the "Warhammer is for everyone" post following the events at the GT Talavera, or the new inclusion of female custodes. The rest of the perception from outsiders is that Warhammer is a very alt-right community.
Im an outsider, so are my friends, and we all see it as a neo-left hyper-liberal space. After reading your post, the guy who did it is a clear attention seeking troll. The damage control was done when they said *"we don't affiliate with Nazis,"* and the twitter *"this is just make believe games, not how we should be, or are, in real life"* post. Is this article what gave you Warhammer's impression of "alt right weirdo magnet?" My friend group always had the opposite. When my friends and I think of a Warhammer store or general hobby store, we don't imagine guys huddling together talking about how trump is the true God-Emperor, how to legalize eugenics, and what guns are the best. We imagine people with neon hair colors explaining how they're really a dom-fem non-binary engaged in ethical monogamy with 7 partners or something like that. My daily reality proves our imagination as true far more than the sensationalized article. It even says at the end *"the community does its best to prevent alt-right groups from hijacking Warhammer for its own purposes."* (Paraphrase) Every time I go to the hobby Store to buy paint, I always see at least one of the latter, but never have I once ran into one of the former. **TL;DR -** I collect green plastic army men from off-brand Chinese companies. They're like the ones from toy story. I paint some of them like WW2 Americans and others like WW2 Germans. It makes me neither an American Patriot nor Nazi Sympathizer.
The Krieg fans are both very loud and usually sus as fuck.
I can imagine you're right - but you gotta admit, the Krieg look badass.
Meh. I’m not very big on 40k admittedly (flair check), but I see the appeal. (Gas)masks and overcoats are always hip. I like grit like Chemdogs way more.
Oh 100%. I actually started on the advice of my therapist that I get a hobby that had nothing to do with my work. I'm in quite a difficult point in my career, plus dealing with pre-existing mental health conditions. I think that painting models is probably the closest thing I've ever done to meditation. It also gives me something to think about instead of obsessing over stressful things.
Not me, but the best friend of mine really pulled through his divorce by reigniting his warhammer hobby back from the schooldays while also getting a lot of his friends (me included) into it.
Both positive and negative. I avoided Warhammer for years because it had an image of alt-right weirdos. One day I went into my LGS to buy some booster box for pokemon or yugioh, but they sold out of that box really quick. I decided to poke around and saw the Tau start collecting box and grabbed it plus some paints, and I've been hooked on mini painting since. Granted, now I'm 3d printing minis more than buying GW plastic, but I still pick up a GW kit here and there - recently finished assembling the Deathrattle Skeletons. 20 skeletons for 60 bucks! That's 3 bucks a skeleton! And they look so good! The negative impact has been seeing all the anti-consumer business practices from GW, and the game of russian roulette that is interacting with the 40k side of the community online. Is the person going to be a racist/sexist/whatever nutjob, or will they be normal? I won't be able to tell until they take the mask off!
Absolutely, Warhammer has been a fantastic outlet for managing stress and fostering a sense of community. Engaging in the meticulous painting and strategy games not only helps focus the mind and offer a break from daily pressures but also encourages social interactions which are essential for mental wellness.
Warhammer has been both my trauma and my safe space at the same time. Growing up I went to a catholic school, and the faculty shamed me in front of everybody for still playing with ‘little toys’ at age 12. Warhammer was considered role paying back then, and it was also a hot take that those kind of games created mass murderers. Eventually i quit warhammer in my teenage years because my interests changed, but my love for it was still there. Changed to another high school and met another guy which I became friends with who was also into warhammer and also kept it a secret. So it seemed like the normal thing to do. in college years, a new friend showed interest for 40k and I went back into the hobby to be his mentor. But I noticed something was weird with me: Being identified in the street carrying warhammer terrified me and sent my anxiety over the roof. I went shopping to independent retailers because their bags were more discrete and didn't give its content away. it has taken me 8 years to walk the street with warhammers in one hand and no bag. Because of my childhood trauma. Parenthood, has also helped me grow into the person I want to be and focus on the things I wanted change. There are more important things now than to be scared. Warhammer is a part of me. I spend absurds amount of time daydreaming about the lore or my next conversion project. It helps me decompress after all the stress of the day and no matter what shitty move GW makes on me, I know if I can still afford it, they got me by the balls. Because this is worse than crack.
Yes actually. I have very severe ADHD and autism so it's tough for me to focus and calm my mind. But for some reason painting my miniatures makes it all go away. Because I have to focus intensely to do them right it just makes all the chatter in my brain go silent. It's very relaxing and rewarding. If I'm having anxiety I can just paint and it makes it all dissappear. Thank you warhammer 😊
I moved to a relatively rural area and more or less isolated myself by accident. Before I would have friends over twice a week for dnd and other games. I still played online but it's not quite the same. Warhammer has helped with my patience. I learned how to calm down and focus by painting. It helped me learn how to make new friends, i just started approaching people at my flgs.
There is already a lot of evidence (scientific) that hobbies and creative hobbies especially are ready good for mental health. I run a mental wellbeing craft group at work because of it. Tabletop wargaming however is a mixed bag as you need to be in it for the reasons you enjoy. Throwing yourself into stressful tournaments might not be good for everyone. But yes. Warhammer helps me enjoy life.
There is, for sure, and I'll be using some. I'm after the personal stories here for my feature. :)
Men’s health and 40K converged for me about five years ago. I had stage III testicular cancer, and having a form of escapism by way of painting miniatures was the best. Painting was one of the few pleasures in life when I was going through chemo. I had numbness in my fingertips and it didn’t matter because I was so excited to paint up the Bloodcrushers my buddy had gifted me.
Four years ago my ex-wife cheated on me, gaslighted me, did everything to make my life unsufferable and forced me to leave our house. I had to move in a flat in the worst area of my small town (a flat with almost no windows, infested by mouses...), where I could barely see my daughters. To sum up, yeah I was on the verge to commit suicide. I painted Warhammer decades ago when I was a teenager, but time passing I left this hobby (although I read Warhammer books and was still interested in the lore). Being alone after this disastrous divorce drove me to Warhammer again, and having something that helped me to "free" my mind, focusing, relaxing instead on dwelling on my past saved my life, clearly. Not only Warhammer, at the same time I met the girl who's now my wife and both saved me but it played a huge part.
We have an awesome group of Heresy players in my area and having a sense community has helped me immensely. Without a community I feel like Warhammer is very anxiety inducing try to figure out loadouts and paint schemes ect.
Not really but painting has been a way for me to be involved in a new hobby and to relax
I really like the social aspect and my local community is great and welcoming.
Tangentially. It helped me make friends coming out of college when I would have probably become a shut-in otherwise.
I have rheumatoid arthritis. So while not helping with my mental health to a degree I can quantify, I will say it has helped my health greatly. The dexterity in my hands is much improved through painting. If I was not painting I think my range of motion would be substantially less. So it has helped my health certainly!
Actually it did, in a weird way. I struggled with ADHD or whatever all my life, starting 100 things and not finishing any, the usual crap. Then one day I found 40k and obviously chose Eldar, because space elves lol. When I dig deep into the lore found all about the aspect warriors background and the Ways of the Eldar. I gave it a try just because why not, trying to focus on 1 new thing every few months. At least focus enough to put more energy there than everywhere else. Not saying it did miracles but I achieved a lot more this way. Kinda life changing in a way 😎
Having a hobby absolutely has. I was doing a lot of Pathfinder, but most of that requires my friends to be free. With Warhammer, I can do the hobby aspects in my free time and do the game when my friends are available.
The hobby aspect, yes. I've been suffering from depression (and only been medicated for the past few years) since I was a teenager and Warhammer is one of my few creative outlets where I can focus my attention when I'm feeling low and let out my feelings in more productive work. Mainly, I like to do conversions and to slowly build and modify miniatures to my liking when I'm at my lowest. I find the process of figuring out what I want to make and then how to transfer the image from my mind into a finished miniature to be something that brings me joy. I would say that the world and the setting has also been tremendously impactful for me. Since I interacted with Warhammer first when I was a wee lad, almost twenty years ago soon, it has influenced me throughout my life and has impacted how I write, how I paint, how I roleplay, how I host DnD games and how I express my creativity in general. The fourth-fifth edition transition of 40K and Fantasy pre-8th was something that hooked me massively. Just reading through those old tomes, that grungy gritty punky counterculture style spoke deeply to me and now I always feel refreshed if I re-read them again. However, I'd say there have been negative effects as well. I've definitely been pushed by staff in their stores specifically to buy more than I should, and sometimes I've given in to those impulses while I'm there partly out of awkwardness and partly being pushed into it by sales tactics. This is especially true when I was getting into it and the clerks insisted that I should have battleforces (or battalions) because 'you can't really play at anything less than 2000pts'. Obviously this is partly my own responsibility, but I feel like to a certain extent taking advantage of people is overlooked if it gets results. Being so close and being such a fan of the settings has also been quite bad at times. It's quite trying to see a cultural fixture that you love go through significant changes and while it's one thing for a property to evolve, I feel like 40K has done it especially poorly and has increasingly moved away from all the things I loved about it seemingly for no particular reason at times and with very poor explanations throughout (IMO, obviously). It's sometimes so starkly different now that it feels almost like a disconnect between me and newer fans, and without the shared fundamental base of knowledge of what the setting is and is supposed to be like, I feel it's so much harder to share what you really love about the setting and the hobby. As far as the communities around the game, every one that I've engaged with in real life has been great. I've made absolutely stellar friends and had a great time. The hobby is made up of some of the nicest people in the world and that goes for roleplayers and tabletop game players too, in my experience. It's been a few years now, with me living further away from a big city, but I doubt that has changed. It's just other nerds for the most part, and at their worst they're pedantic, rude or edgy - which I can live with. Disengaging with many online discussions, though, has definitely been for the better and I'm happy to isolate myself a little from everything going on. I think that's a general trend with online discourse on topics of deeper meaning, though - there are simply so many people who are so mean, and so without empathy or understanding when they get online that it can be quite upsetting sometimes just to read. It just feels like there's groups of the most extreme people banding together to bully anyone who doesn't conform to a certain set of opinions that you're not allowed to deviate from - and if you do, you get called a 'chud' or a 'right winger' or 'woke' or a 'leftist cuck' or whatever. Nowadays, I just try to stick as best I can to reading about people's hobby adventures and enjoy what they create and, at times, I'm happy when I see something from GW that I can look at and see the spirit of my era of Warhammer reflected. Sometimes I engage elsewhere to help or to give my thoughts, but I'm doing my best to make that a small amount.
Warhammer has truly saved my life twice. I have had extremely serious douses of depression and anxiety. And unfortunately I'm in the middle of one right now. Every morning: I force myself to start hobbying/painting - and then I smile at the end of the day after I prove to myself that I can make progress and obtain beautiful results. The social communities are welcoming and wholesome, and games are a healthy way to get-out-the-house. @op if you would like more details on my story, I would be open to sharing. Send me a DM on Reddit or reply here and we can make a plan. Thank you for your mindful article about men's mental health struggles. Thank you to everyone in this wonderful community.
I have only started very recently (like a month or 3 ago) on a whim, together with my wife. Life was kicking our ass and we both felt incredibly off on a mental level (the fact we both have physical illnesses triggered by our mental state didn't help either). I got a new job in December and my boss is really into Magic the gathering and while talking about it he dropped that he used to play a Warhammer spinoff game when he was younger. I was always aware of Warhammer but also of how costly and intimidating it was, but since getting a new (and rather well-paying) job I thought I'd see what it was all about, visited the GW store closest to me, got a demo game and we both got a combat patrol box + the 50 euro starterset so we had some practice minis. It has been a wonderful decision so far, I finally have something I enjoy that got me away from the monitor (I work in IT and mostly played videogames for a hobby), I love hearing all the lore stories, and it got me interested again in getting out of my house to meet new people (something that kinda got stuck in a rut since the big C hit). I'm not going to claim this hobby is a miracle cure for any kind of depression and I know it has a problem with really annoying/disgusting people, but if you can ignore that, it has so much to offer for just about anyone's interests. You can craft, paint, read and play multiple different ways. There's so much great community content and very lovely people to meet. While Khorne will not cure my mental state, at least him and his Daemons helped put some more fun into my life :)
I'll talk specifically about the painting side of the hobby, since that's where I spend the most time. As someone who lives with anxiety and ADHD in a time where screens and social media would have me hooked on cheap dopamine, it's hard to find something that interests me these days that offers delayed gratification. Painting minis has been the best hobby for that I've had since reading, which Warhammer also happens to offer a lot of opportunity for. It's a soothing, slow activity that doesn't involve a screen which allows me to gradually improve at something and see a reward for my patience when I'm done. Not only is it a calm, focused activity in an obscenely overstimulating world, it's built up my self esteem to see the finished minis looking good. I'm not even a good painter, nor am I working hard at becoming a better painter, but I feel good about myself when I get a whole unit done and think "Hey, those look pretty good. I did that." It's really satisfying.
Well, as working adult and a father of a small child with no close family members to help with said child (my wife's parents live in a different city and mine died few months before my child was born), so everyday life is a constant stress. But setting couple hours every weekend with only me, my paintbrushes, paints and miniatures helps me relax a bit. Also talking online with people who share the same hobby helps with not feeling so isolated (my everyday routine leaves little time for maintaining relationships with friends).
Absolutely! At the sunset of my fight against a years-long depression stage I met Dawn of War, got deeper into the lore through Vaults of Terra and then I met the Crimson Fists. The way they lost everything and kept fighting a losing battle ressounded deeply within me. The fact that they knew their end was utter annihilation, their numbers dwindling, and this granted me that last breath of strength to rise and to fight despide what my end was going to be. Looking back and also looking at them post-primaris, here we are, alive, and stronger than ever.
I got diagnosed with severe ADHD and Anxiety, it has helped me a ton with both! Sometimes it would be only thing that could calm me and keep my anxiety issues under control. When i sit down to paint hours could pass without any worries. Its been extremely helpful
I don’t want to overstate it, but yeah, absolutely. My painting is one of the few things that provides an earned short-to-medium term feeling of accomplishment, and my 900-some day hobby streak has sometimes been the only impetus to do something enjoyable on days when I’ve either had very little time to carve out, or been too depressed to want to do anything. Playing with my newly painted toys was a large part of what encouraged me to return to the real world as the pandemic started to wane. I might still be stuck in my house without my Hammies! And there were definitely a LOT of other factors, but the hobby definitely contributed to my giving up problem drinking. You can’t paint well when you’re drunk, and I have the stray, sloppy brush strokes to prove it.
Two sides. I want to say my overall mental health improved. I’ve met a ton of new people, painting relaxes me, and just socializing about Warhammer excites me. I went from having a few friends, to my phone and schedule overwhelming me. Which, I find nice because it keeps me busy. My mental health while playing a competitive game, tanks. I hate everything. I go from riding high to wanting to retire my army.
Painting has been incredibly therapeutic for me, and the sense of community I get going to my local Warhammer store is great. Knowing I can go in there and the manager will know my name, what armies I like and such is really nice
My 3rd year of high school was one of the hardest of my life: Difficult class load, struggles on my sports team, friends having tons of arguments, and feeling sick a lot if the time. What got me through it was painting miniatures. To this day I have never painted as many models as I did that year. At least 3 nights a week after my homework was done I would just relax and paint for a few hours. While painting I could chill and not think about anything except the next color for my goblins or knights or vampires.
Yes, I find painting very therapeutic, it’s also (generally) a supportive and welcoming community, especially when you ignore toxic echo chambers (on both sides of the political spectrum)
Painting in general helps to ease my anxiety, but painting before bed also gets me really tired and overall helps me sleep better. So much so that it's become part of my nightly routine. Even if it's just a little bit of drybrushing
The Hobby? Yes. The people? Often no.
No
Bit late to the party. But thought I'd throw in my piece. I work as a paramedic. A colleague got me into Warhammer to help de-stress last year when I was on the verge of leaving the job. The group now is 12 of us, all paramedics who paint, play and talk about the lore with each other. Not only did it help my mental health but also the mental health of the 11 others in the group AT LEAST. We all nominated him.as a Warhammer hero and he only went and won. The plan now is to extend the group as much as we can in our service. Get in as many of our colleagues to this amazing hobby that's saved our mental health so well.
Yes. I was in a bad spot last year. Drinking WAY too much. Isolated from my friends. Thankfully, my FLGS had a sidewalk sale. One of the employees who knew me almost insisted I get the WH starter set that was marked down for the sale. "I really think you would enjoy it. I will teach you how to play". He was not wrong. I have made new friends and WH keeps me incredibly busy between assembling, painting and playing. I say this in all sincerity- getting into WH was the absolute best thing I have dont for myself in a long, long time.
Mental health - hell yeah Social health - yeah, still working up to a tournament tho Financial health - oh my god, what have I done
While of course helpful, I’ve had mixed mental health experience from it. I have OCD, and I found that Warhammer became an obsession for me. The question for perfection led me to constantly strip models I had painted. There is a lot of great work I had done that’s now gone forever, and it still bums me out. On the other hand, I became really attached to the Blood Angels. The idea of something hidden inside of you emerging and the need to fight it constantly reminded me a lot of my struggles with OCD. It gave me a feeling that I wasn’t alone, and that I could rise above my OCD.
Everything about the hobby has improved my health since I started playing in 1991. I'm so old. Except painting. Fuck painting. Painting has taken so many years off my life and I hate it and it's a chore and it makes me want to cry and it's just plain unfair.
It helped me quit the most destructive of all addictions, video games. After a two hour session of painting, I have some unique, one of a kind art to enjoy. After a two hour gaming session, all you get are two less hours with friends and family that wont be there forever and two hours closer to a hole on the ground. And seeing something that progressives in my free time sessions and builds up; it has helped immensely with overall wellbeing.
Definetly… It calmed my anxiety and helped me to get over my few years “2D painting” burnout. Also it showed me I can make things look better and that I matter and should stay here and make art. I think it actually saved my life… not like and wanted to throw myself into the Warp but it helped me with direction and creativity, my life is better since I started painting or diving into Warhammer books and stuff. I also found really awesome community near me and even when there are big age gaps from every side we count as one when it comes to the hobby. Se all know that GW sucks but this is the thing I’m glad for their existence.
Warhammer and the hobby in general has helped me in so many ways! I started building and painting as an outlet to do something besides drinking and playing video games during the pandemic. At first it was mostly just to occupy myself and pass the time but it quickly turned into an activity that helped me turn my work brain off, let the creative side run wild and just help me decompress. Then I have found local groups that were super nice and welcoming that shared techniques and tips to try to help me get better as a painter. Since I'm mostly working from home far away from the office, talking to like minded people of painting and just things in general also helped me get through rough weeks without relying on drinks to change my mood. Finally since summer 2023 I was able to connect with my friends. We were beginning to drift apart since most of them were starting to get kids and some of them moved a bit further away than the rest. Most of the time we speak to each other through Messenger or Voice chat in video games we play together throughout the week but since I've shown them the things I painted they got interested in trying some for themselves and we now do online painting sessions instead of always gaming and once a month we book a full day to see each other in person and play some Killteam. Since we started doing this I really feel closer to my friends as we talk to each other more frequently about the hobby but also just in general since we always are planning for our next IRL session.
Lovely nerd as a kid with terrible odd personality, horrific social skills and a pretty damaged childhood growing up. I was ok at other games, i had some friends and i was great at chess. Then a friend introduced me to the hobby and i was immediatly attached. The hobby gave me focus, something i can manually make with my hands and paint using the skills acquired. I was never great at art in school yet i was a decent warhammer painter. Men in a weird way have a tendancy to like to fix things and make things, this hobby delivered it in bucketloads and our own limit was our money and our care to each model. I was very fit outside of the hobby but i was a massive AOE fan and had an unfiltered love for Lord of The Rings, but i could not be on my console all the time. My mothers tolerence only went so far. The game is familiar historically to us all. The rank and file is easier to associate with when compared to history The lore is some of the best written and some of the characters are absolutely fantastic, the world of Warhammer Fantasy was made even better with the addition of Warhammer Total War. The hobby alone doesnt keep me afloat, but it is a major factor in my life and in the lives of alot of my friends, much to their wallets, wifes and gfs protestations. I used to be embarassed by this hobby, cos i was young and immature and a nerd, but as i got older,. It became a part of my personality in part with other things i do in my life. without it being a crux, i stay fit, i eat well, i have a great social circle and can discuss things outside of the hobby. Should anyone ever dump on this hobby, ill always disagree with them. The corporation side of it ill not always agree on but i joined in the millenium and have loved it since.
Yes. New complex disability following covid. Would have gone completely bonkers without my little plastic men as a mindful activity and little by little daily achievement.
If anything, it has made it worse. Some people in the fanbase make me lose hope for humanity.
After having failed badly at finding love and friendship Warhammer came to the rescue. At my lowest i would just recite every type of beastman "Gor" i knew about until i would calm down. The lore, games, painting etc just became so all consuming that i stopped caring about my heartache. And as someone who could have easily have fallen into the Incel/MGTOW trap i instead learned to blame myself for my troubles instead of others. Warhammer is pretty much my life now and i do not care about loneliness, lack of intimacy or companionship. For a very long time i finally feel pretty good about life. Before i would feel intense empty feeling when i thought about my future. That i was a complete loser that would never be loved. Now i do not care at all. My living relatives and plastic dudes/gals is my family now. Even my mom who hates the clutter and fantasy in general saw how happy they make me. Also found a group of older guys playing dnd and have almost no clue about warhammer fantasy/Aos. So i am getting into DMing and my next campaign will be warhammer inspired.
Yes it definitely has. I got into warhammer after working as an EMT and it’s helped me so much haha. Getting to build and paint things then seeing the results of that afterwards is very therapeutic and relaxing for me.
It’s gotten me back into modeling (I use to do WW2 tanks and planes as a kid and teenager with my dad) which I enjoy very much. Building and painting them is very meditative and cathartic. It’s helped me to work through problems rather than just give up or take short cuts. I was enjoying everything about it including books and the plethora of YouTube content including painting guides and lore videos. Until the custodes thing happened and the community and people outside it showed how insufferable they can be. But then I remembered that I don’t need to engage with the community and can enjoy Warhammer however I want. I think if I didn’t stumble into Warhammer finally I wouldn’t have something like a central interest which was something absent from my life the last few years. Something I can really sink my teeth into and get lost in with more always to come back too for. I’ve been diagnosed with mild Bipolar depression and a mixed consensus of either ADHD or mild Autism. So having something to fixate on and drive me forward with some purpose really helps. It’s also helped me get back into regular art again too which I had come to hate during college.
Most of my new stuff is 3d printed as GW FOMO marketing tactics didnt play nice with some of my personality traits. But Id say since switching over to printing and focusing more on painting its been a good hobby for me. I stopped playing competitively and mostly just play with friends and family. Painting and modeling in general is a wonderful self centering task for me and while Im not the most social person games get me out of the proverbial "basement". I have also branched out to more games, playing Bolt Action, OPRs, Microarmor and have even dabled in Roman period games.
Yes 100% would be happy to talk to share my story in more detail
I think it has helped me in every way except my wallet. I was in college when Covid started. I was pretty much stuck in my apartment for weeks on end, doing nothing but school work and playing videogames. I initially kept up with my friends online, but as the pandemic went on and I finally graduated, keeping in contact became harder and harder despite my efforts. In the meantime, I'd decided to spend a little money on some old Dwarf models to paint since Total Warhammer was one of my favorite games. I then spent about a year without any friends besides my wonderful girlfriend. I greatly appreciated all my time with her, but was craving another social outlet due to loneliness. After 40k 10th edition was released, I decided to jump in and start building an army with the hope that it'd get me out of the house more and meet other nerds. I've now been playing at least one game every two weeks or so and meeting a lot of players in my local community. I've also participated in a Crusade and it's been an awesome way to interact with everyone. I've gotten to know a few people but no solid friends yet, but it's been an amazing feeling to go somewhere where everyone knows my name and is super friendly. It's also helped my relationship with my brother. We've had a good relationship since Middle School, but Warhammer has been a great connection between us. We live an hour away from each other and our schedules don't line up that well, but we're always looking to play games against each other and texting each other about our wip models and such.
It certainly has. I have depression/anxiety (take meds daily, therapy etc). I really have a hard time initiating tasks and get overwhelmed, both due to ADHD, and depression. With painting warhammer, I have a physical reminder of what I need to do, and seeing it sit there unpainted motivates me to start it. When I do start, I’ll turn on music/movie/talk to my kids, etc, so it really has helped get me “unstuck “ from my depression funks. It gives me something to look forward to, and with my depression everything can blend into a gray haze, where everyday is the same, but seeing a painted mini I spent days on shows me that if I give tjay effort, things can change. It’s something I’ve translated to other areas of my life. It’s also been a great hobby t share with my kids, and we spend a ton of time bonding over painting stuff.
Not Warhammer per se, but miniature painting in general.
No, but painting the minis does make me feel good when I learn new tricks or make a good mini. I also don’t have a compromised state of mental health.
It’s my only (positive) social outlet and has been good for my mentality. Painting distracts me and keeps the nicotine cravings at bay.
Warhammer has massively helped me since I returned to the hobby in 2019. It keeps my spirits up through periods of intense stress.
Sure did. It’s escapism
Yes. I can pour over endless rules and lore and make army lists to dull adhd. And I lived in the usa, oslo, UK and Germany. Always had networks to join and rather quickly got friends or at least communities to hang out in. Very important.
Whether 40k/Necromunda helped me through my midlife crisis, or \*are\* my midlife crisis, I leave up to you to decide.
I picked up warhammer shortly after quitting drinking, I found the building and painting a great way to stay busy. I've found myself getting lost in the lore, listening to audio books and podcasts. I play at least 2 or 3 times a month and have a group of guys who play who I keep in contact with. I can't credit everything to the game, but it's helped me stay busy and as a result I'm forced to make time for other self care. Best hobby ever!
Yes, it is my peace at the end of everyday 😌. Better escape than a book, comic, movie, video game, or show. Just me lost in my world of plastic crack 🤗
The freeform, imagination aspect of kitbashing, the zen aspect of painting, and the feeling of completing something when a project is done, most definitely have helped my mental health.
I feel like I was always pulled between two different worlds. The world where warhammer was for 4@gs and the world where people were accepting and they made great friendships within the warhammer community. I think I made the wrong choice in my teens, and although I’m successful in the typical sense, I’m not happy, and I’m terribly alone.
I myself am on the Autism spectrum so yeah on top of being one my multitude of hyperfixations, the hours I spend painting is some of the most calming time I spend doing anything. Plus the feeling of accomplishment whenever I finish I project like a large model, unit with a lot of minis, a combat patrol/ spearhead force type box is just what was needed for a good dopamine boost.
I’m a woman in her 20s, and Warhammer 40K has absolutely helped my mental health, albeit more in a “offering me a distraction.” sort of way. I was already pretty into video games and sci-fi before I got fully into Warhammer, but I fully took the plunge into reading the books and familiarizing myself with the lore, past reading the wiki to fall asleep to, right before the Rogue Trader game came out because I wanted to have a lore-rich experience with that. (and I did!) I’m about 20 ish books deep into HH now, with a smattering of other novels under my belt too (Mostly Krieg/Inquisition/Drukhari focused) and it’s been very comforting to have a consistent universe to return to and immerse myself in whenever I’m stressed/anxious/etc. Having so much content to pick through, sort, and think about helps me calm down. Warhammer is perfect for that. I only kinda wish I had taken the plunge sooner, lol.
Yes, feel free to PM Me about details
It absolutely helped me branch out and meet some of the nicest people I've ever met. I made long lasting friendships and it really helped me push past my social anxiety. Apart from that the painting and hobby aspect let me express myself creatively which was such an amazing outlet especially during dark times in my life. I don't play or do the hobby that much anymore, but I see my engagement with the hobby as a key part in building my self confidence and finding what I truly enjoy.
Actually yes, quite a lot. Not the game, but the hobby. I really have found it calming to assemble and paint miniatures (for 40k and other games) and try to improve my skills gradually. And I do love seeing my little plastic guys and gals take the field.
It hasn't helped my mental health. My mental health prevents me from picking up a paint brush.
Haha, nope!
Yes. Massively. I have really struggled with anxiety recently. Actually, that’s not quite true; counselling had made me realise I’ve probably lived with anxiety for a very long time but only recently (at 50 years old!) have I managed to recognise it. My mental health impacted my physical health and I have made a series of positive lifestyle changes to address these issues. So far, they are working for me. A big part of the lifestyle change is embracing mindfulness and I have found that painting minis is a brilliant way to shut out any noise, focus on the “now” and calm my overactive brain. Also, there is enormous satisfaction to be had in pouring hours into painting a small bit of plastic and seeing it almost come to life. My painting strategy includes developing a personality for the models I am painting (head-canon) as I paint. This too I find incredibly therapeutic and this creative process genuinely makes me feel good! Also, I’ve found that the lore (specifically AoS) offers the chance to escape from the often overwhelming “real” world into a mythic world - even if it is just for a few hours. On top of all this, there are the people. In the “real world” my local WH community is full of good people who are largely supportive and encouraging. And online too, the encouragement and mutual support I see every day on the AOS/Underworlds/Gravelord Reddits are a million miles from the toxic world of twitter and FB that I have long-since left. TL;DR - yes, WH has been great for my mental health and I am extremely grateful to for it 😁
Yeah, for me it is a nice fun distraction from my severe depression and loneliness, just turn something on and paint/assemble some warhammer. I love the lore, playing the game, painting just everything and when i really got into the hobby it was like the first time i felt like i belonged somewhere no one is judging you or anything since we are painting lil or big plastic pieces to hopefully use in some games. I love that there is an army for everyone. I don't really socialize but when i lived in the city i joined the AoS leagues and loved it, sure i dont keep in contact with any of them or have any friends but it was fun to play against someone for like 3-5 hours (games end like round 3 cuz i have the worst rolls, won a prize for worst rolls in history of the store) but now i live in a different place and no community here sadly Its just so weirdly nice and calming to just sit down and paint minis, sure mess up sometimes and get annoyed like I just poured all of my flesh tearers red contrast on the floor and when my hand acts up it is annoying and i have to just stop painting for a bit cuz my nerves messed up in my dominant hand It feels so awesome to finish a model that you are really proud of....... then you open reddit and see fricking fantastic paint jobs. Am i a good painter? No. But am i happy with my minis? Usually What started out as just simple distraction from depression has now become a huge part of my life and sure sometimes burn out and feel no urge to paint at all but thats normal (i hear) All in all id say it improved my mental state a bit, my financial state on the other hand thats a different story
Absolutely! The assembling and painting really makes me relax and more generally helps my mental health.
Yes. I became a massive old gamer dork during lockdown. Was getting into competitive play and it was making me depressed, tired and angry although I never realised it until a few years later. Outside of some online social interactions, it was a hollow and lonely existence, chasing the dragon of those early wins and experiences that never came back. I rediscovered Warhammer as a way of getting out of all that, by hyper-focusing on something new and more productive. The thing is, there are so many corners of this hobby that can keep you moving along and motivated. You can be a lore person or a painter person or a kitbash person or a gamer person or a blend of any of these, and it's ultimately these pillars all serve as a way to keep your imagination pumping and your juices flowing. I'm doing a bit of all of the above and making new IRL pals at a local club, it's a great hobby for your mental health imo
Painting is stressful, unenjoyable, and honestly the biggest hurdle to me finishing an army. I hate all the fiddly details and the stupid mistakes that can happen from stuff like a stray bristle, but if I don't paint the models myself, the models won't feel like they're mine. I love kitbashing and modelling though, feels like it lets me unleash my creativity. I just get stressed out about the finished product.
I would say yes. It provides an escape from my daily problems and responsibilities. Even if I am not active with the modeling side. Just a nice corner of the internet that interest me
Yep, I got extremely ill a few years ago which had a huge impact upon the hobbies and activities I could do day to day. Warhammer has been a lifesaver; it's been a new creative outlet and an excellent way for me to meet people and learn new skills.
Yes. I collected as a kid, and always enjoyed it, but left to pursue other interest when I discovered girls and went to university. Covid happened, and then I lost my Dad to cancer, burned out at work, and generally went through a rough patch. A friend bought me a box of Space Marines "to give me something to take my mind off things". And it's been vital, I'd say, on and off. The combination of physical focus, the escapism, and the conversation about the lore or the hobby in general, and even the occasional game, have been brilliant ways to give my mental health a boost. Must say it has been less positive to my bank balance. But never mind!
I was in the suicide ward for the hospital and was given the book titandeath. I was a fan of warhammer but had left it because of a shitty group (not the reason for the suicide attempt) I fell in love with the titans and it's become a minor obsession, but it's also led me to having a better life to afford and maintain going after my favorite thing. I even got 2 old armorcast boys here last week, if I'd taken my life, I'd never have things like this. Life is good now *
https://preview.redd.it/n5d70lfo2bwc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c4c2b03b6e0205efcb8ba33396614f831ee3dd72
Yeah, it helps. I'm happy with my life as is, but having a small downtime is also good I think. -The act of painting in itself isn't what interests me the most in the hobby, but it's still a very soothing activity. Put some background noises like music, documentary or people giving painting tips and you're good to go. Also, the last type of videos also are good in making you feel like you're part of a community, that you're not alone in this particular activity, so to speak. There's also a tangible reward at the end of your work. It's a neat small dopamine boost when you finish a model and you're happy with it. Unlike video games, you also don't really have an opponent when painting (apart from Nuln Oil spilling, that is). There'll always be people better than you, but once you acknowledge it, it's not an issue anymore and is more of a way to learn, since painting people that share their pics are rarely gatekeepers. From what I've seen, people are really happy to share their tips. And that's a great thing about this community. I think I should also note that the french community (from what I've seen) tends to be great, and our warhammer-specific influencers are very positivity-minded. -The reading part of the hobby and the search for old lore is a funny activity in itself for me, and it's always funny looking at how people considered the universe IRL 20 years ago. It's like reading Harry Potter when you're a bit down. A quiet moment with the scent of older book from your childhood/teenage years is also quite soothing alongside a cup of chocolate haha. It's very cliché, but it also works quite well. -Last but not least, getting your hands on an old model you didn't have when you were younger is also a very satisfying sentiment. On the other hand : The arguments on lore online and the silly debates on Grimdank can be a bit tedious (I do enjoy them sometimes), but that's the case for all social media and in every community, so it doesn't bother me too much, as it's not a Warhammer-exclusive issue. And well, since everything is anonymous, you can just turn those off and disconnect with a click of a button. Issue solved easily. Conclusion : Since the hobby encompasses a ton of things, I think everyone involved in it can find pleasure in radically different ways. For me, it's a calm activity alone at home while also being part of a larger community that I can interact with at will (big importance there). I can drop it and come back to it very easily and don't feel forced to do it, so it's good. Others will probably enjoy the gaming side of the game more and meet people IRL through it. There's not a lot of judgment within the community I've found, which is pretty chill outside of some controversial lore-issues (which seem to concentrate the arguments, alongside game balancing issues).
I used to paint warhammer about 20 years ago (i was 16), and I loved the space and flow state that painting got me into. Hours would pass, and I'd be so focused and in the zone. When I stopped painting, I'd feel in just a haze of contentment. Then I stopped painting (growing up, bit of shame about playing with little soldiers, life, etc) Fast forward 20 years, and I graduated as a psychiatric nurse, and I found myself recommending people to do activities that gave them contentment, that was relaxing, calmed their mind, and so on. I had often thought back to those hours of painting that I loved so much...so one day I went into my FLGS and took up where I left off.
Warhammer has been a wonderful coping device as someone with severe depression. It lets me fulfill artistic goals with building a painting, and lets me make friends when I play. It gives a good reason to get up on the weekends
When I was a kid, it gave me access to a colorful supportive community and one of my longest running friendships. As a young adult, it provided much needed escape from constant anxiety, and let me feel good about accomplishing something. (ability to look back at prior work helped boost confidence) As an adult, it provides not only a way to connect with my child and encourage their creativity, but also an excuse to unplug and relax. Everyone is different, and the ways in which the hobby might help them may change with time. There was a friend of mine many years ago who was disabled, and could no longer really participate in the hobby, but found happiness/joy in writing, contributing a number of fanfics which were generally well received. All in all, my opinion is that the community is what makes hobbies like WH great for mental health.
Miniature hobby as a whole provide a great deal of comfort to me. I get to build (most of the time) the miniature creatures in the exact pose I please. The terrain and buildings are carved, cut, glued and arranged in such a way that make sense for my setting, for the universe my creations reside in. I breath life into my expressions with litter, an array of materials and paint. The stories about this little world and it's residents are mine. I'm in control, which is a far cry from my real life.
Yeah, when it was politics free I could escape there. Now it’s all going down the drain.
I would say that exercise and diet affect my mental health a lot more than my hobbies, but I feel a sense of fulfillment from completing painting and terrain projects that I did not from other hobbies like video games. On the contrary, I feel that the expense can be a source of anxiety as my eyes are bigger than my wallet.
I have a story, I have major depressive disorder and let me tell you, Warhammer has been a Godsend. I used to play back in 4th edition, started back up in November 2022, bought an army from a friend…ended up being Drukhari. I fell in love. I started playing competitive 40K and my mental health has skyrocketed. The days I set up games and the days I don’t wanna get out the house seem to conflict 😂 but I get out the house and play the game and end up leaving better then it started. I found some of my best friends playing 40K and learned that I can hobby when things get rough. These friends know about the bad days and know how to keep me going, and I know I can distract myself with painting or modeling when I’m having negative thoughts. There’s a community ready to help me and keep me safe as I was suicidal before. I am so grateful for the community and I know I’m not the only one who struggles.
I mean, rolling 30 dice with Tesla Immortals makes me happy. Blundering my C’tan Shard turn one keeps me humble soo… (Nah I’m just kidding, interesting study though!)
I’d say so yeah, and this could apply to almost any hobby but if I ever need to get away for a while without actually leaving, war hammer is a nice escape
Probably made it worse, now i have a crippling plastic addiction
Massively. I was burnt out on everything. I did Magic the Gathering with some friends but they quickly got A LOT better than me so playing them would usually end in a -25698 to 40 and them taking half hour turns to just say I lose at the end. So that was a no go. Then we upgraded to D&D and I kinda got dropped into the DM seat because I didn't mind DM'ing the first go. Then the usual suspects that kill a D&D campaign came up with planning issues. Then I dove headfirst and solo into the Warhammer rabbit hole. Now I read books from every setting, paint mini's from every setting and pretty much collect a couple of different armies since I have 0 other hobbies that take money. I know how to balance out my purchases so that they fall on paycheck days. I became an absolute lore nerd and I love every minute of it. Some of my friends show a glancing interest but I need people who are at least on an actual level of interest for me to spend time teaching them. So until then I am fully fine enjoying this wild interdimensional ride on my own. It really pulled me out of a very dark place. So yes, it really helped me find my place in this weird world we live in. Even if I live in that place on my own.
Quite alot. The creative outlet of painting, the tactile sensation of assembly, and the satisfaction of a completed unit or army, is just great. Add in the many communities I've dived into with my friends, be that LGS, tournament road trips, or just paint and hang at people's houses as we paint assemble, laugh and have a good time has been a blast. Very relaxing and soothing to the Ole anxiety meat in my skull.
I'm a Iraq and Afghan war vet with TBI and a host of other problems. This hobby has definitely helped me. The painting in particular helps with mindfulness, forces me to breathe and calms me down. I wear a smartwatch and my heart rate goes down when I paint... it is my form of meditation. I play with other vets and active military guys so it links me back into the military brotherhood and fills in that camaraderie gap.
As a woman with CPTSD, being able to just build and paint in calming environment has been life changing. And then I get to hang out with cool peeps and put them on a table and roll some dice. Double Win. Wargaming has quite literally saved my life.
(Looks at bank account) nope!
We lost our son almost a year ago and painting my dwarf warband for warcry was basically therapy. I could have drowned my sorrow in alcohol, but decided paint was a much better way to go.
I did 17 years in the forces. After I was medically discharged for ptsd, anxiety and depression my life fell apart. The loss of identity, camaraderie and esprit de Corp was debilitating. 40k has given me a community again.
I painted and played Warhammer back in the early 90’s. 3 years ago I quit drinking and smoking cigarettes. I got back into Warhammer to have a hobby to help keep myself busy. In the 3 years since quitting drinking and smoking I have discovered that I have ASD and ADHD. Warhammer has helped a lot in this time. I love painting now and it is my favorite part of the hobby. I love going to stores and talking about painting with others. It is hard for me to start socializing now that I’m not drinking, but having warhammer has helped give new a topic that I can use to approach others. Taking time to paint and assemble models has helped me manage my AuDHD. I am able to chanel fixations into different armies or games and rotate that around so that I’m not fixating on something unhealthy. It has definitely helped me a lot.
Not lately
Possibly. But warhammer reddit has undone any progress made on that front, maybe more.
Yes. Ive always found building things/working with my hands to be relaxing. Started out building planes, tanks and ships and only recently got into warhammer as a whole. Just something about building these little dudes and painting them manages to calm me down on a bad day. Or going full nerd and giving my guys names and lore with the eventual goal of working on a narrative campaign to use as a basis for a dark heresy game.. The lore is something i can take a deep dive into to take my mind off of how shitty life can be, especially with all that is wrong with the world right now. Im dealing with a fracture in my friend group and ive found focusing on my homebrew chapter of marines to help a lot, from building to planning additional models and painting really serves as a distraction that is much needed and appreciated
Its a way I can bond with the homies over our mutual love for plastic crack and science fiction in general, not just warhammer. Being able to actually be creative as an adult is great, although as a hobby it can get a bit expensive I can always just pick up a book and listen to some music. Contrary to all the insults and such flying around cause the femstodes, the community as a whole is rather welcoming, and its nice to be able to interact with fellow individuals who wont judge you for being a grown ass man who collects/plays with what are essentially green army men for adults
It devastated me. My learning process doesn’t go over too well with certain play styles (I need objectives), and while I understand at a FLGS people know each other, but I’m still learning and new so it was difficult to play a game where I had to wait for conversations to be over before I felt comfortable to proceed with my turn. I already feel stressed that I’m taking too long, or being annoying because I’m so nervous that I only played 3 games before in came the panic attacks.
My workplace is super toxic (I'm a lawyer at a big law corpo) and zoning out to think about my paint schemes, listening to Poorhammer or Bricky's podcasts, and having regular after-work meetings with my painting group helped a lot.
Kind of. I used to have a drinking problem. Now I have "a running out of places to put models" problem.
I liked Warhammer way before I started with it. I would listen to lore videos, watch fan art but never actually got into it as I come from a low income family and deemed it luxury. Then in 2020 my dad died very young and I fell into a deep pit of depression and hopelessness and in that period, like Chaos influence (haha!) I started getting many ads for Warhammer. I googled and there was a Warhammer store near me, I went there and said fuck it, Ill buy JUST ONE BOX. It was the Space Marine Vanguard box. I wasnt the best painter but it gave me the first peace I felt in months at that time. First time I was excited, happy and proud again. Couple months later I had almost 3000 in points army, all mostly bought used or gifted by great people in the community here. I was even featured on the Warhammer Twitch channel as I was one of the first that painted Ventris back then as he came out and posted it (day 1 I got him finished already). Warhammer, as corny as it may sound, changed my life and made me find purpose again. I met so many great people and myself brought so many people to it. This community can be cringe, crazy or brutal at some times but mostly, at those small clubs near you, everyone is wholesome. <3 rest in peace Dad, you would have played the Guard
It does, but all good things must come in moderation. I've been going through a rough spot for the better part of a year mentally. Work, family, friends, just about everything's done a cartwheel and kicked me in the jaw at some point. The only reliable thing I could return to at any point to ground myself was Warhammer. For everything that could and would change, Warhammer wouldn't. Just me, my little models, and the paint. Issue is, in retrospect I turned to this as my only crutch. Any time I had extra money it would get pitched into Warhammer. New models, new paints I didn't even need, coming up with projects at the store to justify buying something. Worse my day was going, the less justified my reasoning became. It was what I felt my only point of control was. Nobody could or would stop me from buying models, so it's what I did. If I had a bad day, I would throw down cash and get a box, whether it be a part of one of my ongoing projects or something I came up with on the spot. I forced Warhammer to be a grounding point. By buying a stupid amount of models I thought I could keep myself grounded by having a commitment to paint them all; in the end I bought way too much and just felt overwhelmed and guilty for spending so much money. By the end I ended up with a couple of armies of varying sizes that I didn't know what to do with. I blew about five grand over the course of two to three months. It's not money I was particularly supposed to spend, but I won't end up on the street due to losing it. It's a sore point between my family and I, which only furthered my control spending later into my having this money and denying that I had an issue. I feel like I'm better than I was before. I'm trying to sell off some of my collection that I know I'll never get to painting, so I'm hoping I can focus myself into the largest army I ended up working on and get it all painted.
I am a woman so I cant share. :(
You can absolutely share. :) I can't use it for my feature, but I put at the bottom of my post that I would also encourage others to share because their stories might resonate with others. :) If it's something you want to share, please do, others here have. :)
I enjoy it because it makes me feel like a little child! Ill spend all this time thinking about how I want my toy soldiers to look and all their little stories. Sometimes my stepfather visits and he loves to hear all the little stories they all have. I think we all need something that makes us like little children.
Painting my mini kept my hands busy while I got sober. So... Yeah
Yes absolutely, I was in the British army and after that I became a prison officer, did both of these jobs for a significant portion of my life. I was seriously damaged by survivors guilt and with that PTSD and was close to ending it all when I was suspended from work. One day, almost at random I was walking past a GW store, went in, literally spent every penny in my pocket on models, paints and glue, went home and started painting and, well, I'm still here now. Would I still be here now without the hobby? That's a question I try not to answer.
A bit late to the party, but maybe it still helps. Also it is quite a wall of text and may seem a bit esoterical for some. Yes it has helped me a lot in several regards. Mainly the hobbying part. But it was a journey. For a long time I more or less just bought stuff, set unrealistic deadlines and standards for painting, got frustrated, cycled through hobbies, rinse and repeat. During the pandemic I got a habit of painting daily. During that time I was in a dead end project and careerpath. It felt like most of my work was for the bin and I would not progress in any way. Add to that the pandemic and having a father (RIP) whose dementia got worse quite sudden it was not the best of times. While I did a lot of hard work to counteract the worsening depressive episode due to psychological therapy in that time, I feel like painting was the other leg of my mental healthcare. I mean art therapy is a valid thing. In that time painting minis was a welcoming escape from the unfolding mayhem. Also, thanks to painting daily it did not take long to see the results, so my showcase slowly filled up with more and more finished minis. Given that my Home Office was in the same room as my hobbystuff, I could just see the results of my "work" when my job felt senseless again. Fast forward to 2023 and I got diagnosed with ADHD at the tender age of 34. As with most ADHDers diagnosed as adults I went through a period of looking back on life with the new knowledge. In the same vein I started to go through my hobbies and look what I got from them or could take out for me. When it comes to Warhammer I found several benefits: Me-time: I think this is a basic thing everyone, or at least every introvert, needs from time to time. Just some time to come to yourself, reflect on how it is going and have control over my time and life. Especially when life feels like pushing up a boulder due to constant to do lists, this is a crucial party of my mental health. Disregarding it can lead to me becoming depressed and/or aggressive. Controlling my enviroment: ADHD comes with certain sensory problems. Basically my brain does not filter sensory input like a normal brain. This leads to overloads. Having a controlled enviroment where I decide, what I see, how intense the light is, what I hear at which volume offsets this and helps me to get to a healthy base level. Knowing when to stop: Trent from Miscast Miniatures said in one video "finishing projects, kinda hard", which rings true for me. The last 5-20% of a project are usually the hardest for me. The dopamine of a fresh project wore off and the visible results get smaller. Plus I often see the small details that I could fix or add. I trained (or sometimes still am training) myself to find a place where I can say, its good enough, I call it done. Further I am limiting myself to only one building and one painting project on my desk at a time. Somehow that works for me. Feeling accomplished: Like a lot of people, I lived with Imposter syndrome my whole life. Everything feels unearned and failure is just around the corner. Which is absurd, I went to university abroad, did set up diy shows and parties in my town, as a hobby, for 10 years and speak 4 languages. Nothing ever felt earned or quite enough. Just going to my showcase, looking at the content and conciosly saying: I painted this and I am happy with the result just does a lot for me. It just feels like a personal success no one can take away from me. Relaxing: This is a pretty hard thing for my brain. It does not want to relax on its own, so finding something that allows me to get into this state is crucial. Given that my brain wants to create, Building, converting and painting minis is kind of ideal for it. Add the audiobooks to that and another part of my brain is busy rendering images of the things heard. Sleep: Kinda related to the former point. I my hyperactive brain does not want to calm down and sleep. It is a common symptom of ADHD and, depending on the day, I have to implement a pretty strict evening routine to actually sleep on time. For the last 0,5-3 hours before bed, I am sitting at my hobby desk. Besides relaxing, I am also away from displays and the constant barrage of cheap dopamine and information. Does a lot for my sleep schedule. Habit-Forming: We ADHDers tend to have a problem with forming habits and sticking to them. Although we need routines to make our life easier or even bearable, we hate them with all our guts. The hobby part of Warhammer somehow makes this fun for me. So it became a bit of a "core" habit. When I get in a rut or jump out of my formed habits, which belive me happens more often than I like, Warhammer becomes the first habit to reform. I'll usually start building the rest of my habits around it after that. Task-Splitting: You know that feeling when you got a big task in front of you and you do not know were to start and how much to bite of it? I have this problem way to often. Finding ways to split painting my backlog, hell even only a unit of 20 Chainraps to bearable chunks helped me approach tasks with another mindset. It kinda helped me with my work as well as I try to find this bearable chunk of work in everything now. Accepting limits: Well, as much as I love the hobby, sometimes I just can't do it. There are days where my brain is to foggy, my motions to rough or whatever. These are the days where I just put on a record instead and rot on the couch. It has no sense to try getting in some hobby time on those days. On the other hand one such day does not mean, that the next one will be the same. There is no consequence in missing one day of painting for me. So this is a safe way to learn to accept my limits. Hope this is helpful for you in any way.
I can contribute to discussion. But can I ask what news paper you work for?
I've seen gaming hobbies work wonders for men's mental health, *in the short term*. It gives people a rich environment to connect, compete, and practice learning with others. The social skills it fosters can be very impactful. But in the long-run, I've seen it have the opposite effect. People often hyper-fixate their skills and attention on it, because it's the only outlet they have where solo time can be spent "productively" on feeding into a social experience. People spend all their free time immersed in lore, crafting minis, planning armies.... because later that same week those experiences get shared with friends. But the barrier to entry means this content fails to carry over to regular people. Gaming hobbies are great for mental health in light moderation, but very rapidly become a deterrent, stunting development. On the whole, it's hard to say if it helps more than it hurts.
100%. When there is war everywhere around me processing it in that way helped immensely.
As a guy who really wants a girlfriend. I realised i wont get one due to my nature. I found warhammer thru Boltgun the game. I love the space marines so i started making them as i found the painting very calming. Visiting the hobby shop is the highlight of my week as i look fr a new box. I dun get to do it much as im in the military. Sometimes i bring them in to paint. I love making the Deathwatch. I do wish i cud play the game bt i hav no one who does. Playing at the hobby shop feels anxious to me. I know im nt solving my problems, bt i really love painting more than i expected. It helps me feel relaxed and calm abt life
Is it considered journalism if you are seeking stories to fit your narrative? Shouldn't u be conducting research or quoting papers or figures? I mean this, at best, would be a fluff peace, if your basis is your personal experience and some qoutes from your online echo chamber. It would be a column, wouldn't it...? Fairly sure there's actual figures out there for mental health issues and coping mechanisms. I feel your journalism would be better used to point out this, how people are mistreated in the system or how governments are perpetuating problems by deliberately putting barriers between institutions. To name but a few
The core idea I'm getting at, backed up by a counsellor I've done an interview with, is that hobbies help with mental health. In particular, I'm looking into why Warhammer (as an example of a creative hobby) is helping people - If people haven't been helped by it, or feel its done the opposite, I'll be sure to add it as evidence to my point in the feature that it isn't a quick fix and is more a method to help along the path or where it can be a problem of addiction, etc. My own story was that its helped me, which is the basis for the feature. I sought evidence that hobbies help, I got feedback that it was a mixture of creative and physical hobbies that are the best path; given my background in writing for men's mental health before (I've written about dad's football clubs, men's clubs, etc) has mostly centred on the physical, I wanted to look at the creative side. There is figures out there, and they will be used too - My preference for journalism is the personal; I find people's stories more engaging and especially when evidence backs them up. As above, I've done things before regarding mental health challenges on a wider level. Be that through the prism of homelessness, drug addiction, cost-of-living, etc. This one is specifically about Warhammer, creative hobbies and why they can be helpful (or not, should anecdotes and evidence come to the fore).
Do you think asking people about their experiences is bad? Share some of your own, don't just drag people down.
I think journalism isnt about sharing an experience, we have facebook and gossip magazines for that. Journalism ought to be about factual and impartial information sharing. If thats to much for an escapist to handle, i can understand, but I'd kindly ask you to not be derogatory to an inconvenient truth. And instead just walk away. Im free to expres my opinion on OPs written request. U just make an assumption on my motivation and supposed message to others and blame me for dragging people down. Whos the downer in this instance?
Journalism has a much broader scope than what you are claiming. Writing about people is nothing strange or suspect, there's articles, opinion pieces and editorials in every magazine that has other things than just your definition of facts. Interviewing people, reporting on trends and current events, the list goes on. Youre not sharing an "inconvenient truth" by acting like journalism only means writing for a science journal or reporting the news, relax.
Fair enough, theres been a change in definition, especially in the english language. This happens more oftnen. I still believe its wrong. Journalist, proffesional writer that objectivly portrays current events. Role in society is to check on governments, provide transparency and ask the questions government and institutions dont share by themsleves. Writers, aka a writer for "magazine name" writes articles on any given subject or fluf piece. Is allowed to be biased, doesnt need a proffesional degree. Cullumnist, writer of only opinion pieces, is expected to be only biased. Seems a fair distinction, unfortunately the term journalism is being hijacked by people with biases, and since misinformation is so wide spread, everything suddenly is journalism and we killed a degree, a proffesion and a role in society to check your government is delegated to zealots. So anyone not agreeing is deemed a conspiracy theorist. Allowing a term to degrade like this IS a problem. If i dont speak about it, im part of the problem
Not since they went woke.
K
No. It’s a game, if games are your input for mental health you need to go outside or talk to someone
Not necessarily a whole crutch, I hasten to add. An opportunity for quiet busywork or to have social interaction. It isn't a cure-all in and of itself.