It’s exciting to see how many great stories are being told in gaming today. Some of the most interesting stories involve characters that people are really able to relate to. It’s no secret that mental health issues are very common, and so many people struggle with depression and anxiety issues each year.
There are video game characters that are coping with mental health issues, too, and people have been able to learn a lot about various conditions because of being exposed to certain games. Keep reading to read about several great video game characters that are coping with mental health issues. If you haven’t played the games that these characters are a part of yet, then you’ll want to check them out sometime soon.
Futaba Sakura – Persona 5 / Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 was a smash hit that came out in the Western world in 2017. In 2020, there was an updated version of the game released that included new content called Persona 5 Royal. One of the fan-favorite characters in this game is Futaba Sakura. If you haven’t played Persona 5 yet, then you might wish to go check it out without reading too much about her story.
If you’ve played this gem of a game already, then you know that Futaba is someone who has severe social anxiety. She’s been living as a shut-in for years, and she has a very difficult time in social situations. Over time, you can help Futaba to feel better about life, and she starts to overcome some of her issues. She even uses the protagonist of the game as her “key item” to make her feel comfortable enough to go shopping out in public.
This is extremely relatable for anyone who has social anxiety. Many people cope with social fears by getting help from their loved ones. Futaba is a very nuanced character that isn’t just a trope. She is a talented person who is learning to overcome her anxiety while coping with a lot of grief.
Aurora – Child of Light
Child of Light is a gem of a game that many people missed out on years ago. It’s a game that takes many gameplay inspirations from classic JRPGs such as Grandia, but it is perhaps most notable for the story that it tells. The game stars Aurora, and she is a child who fell into a deep sleep after the death of her mother. Her father remarried, and she is a character that is dealing with a lot of grief and depression.
She wakes up in a bizarre dream world where she has to battle, become stronger, and overcome many challenges that are put in her way. You can see the game as a metaphorical take on overcoming mental illness and the things that hold you back in life. Aurora is a charming character, and it’s possible that she could be a beacon of hope for many players. Give this game a try if you have yet to experience it.
Cloud Strife – Final Fantasy VII
Finally, you might be interested to hear that Cloud Strife is a character who certainly deals with many mental health struggles. Final Fantasy VII is an all-time classic that helped to popularize JRPGs in the Western world, but not everyone has taken the time to really understand what the character of Cloud Strife has gone through. Without spoiling too much of the game, Cloud is someone who experienced a significant amount of trauma in his life, and he also deals with many self-doubts.
Cloud felt like he was shunned as a child by people that he wanted to be friends with. He had social issues, and he wanted to become a big-time hero to try to change people’s perception of him. Eventually, Cloud chose to become someone else entirely rather than accepting himself for who he truly is. Final Fantasy VII is just as much about a man coming to terms with himself as it is about anything else.
You Can Overcome Mental Health Issues
Playing games that have characters who are coping with mental health issues can be very cathartic. It shows you that people from all walks of life can deal with problems like this. There are ways that you can start healing if you are having a tough time with depression or anxiety. Click here to learn about a helpful therapy method that has helped many people to turn things around.
There are plenty of other characters in video games that have mental health issues as a major part of their story. You might connect with some of the characters mentioned above, and it could help you realize some things about what you’re going through in life. If you feel that you need help at any time, then know that there are always people out there who care about you. Depression and anxiety can be tough to cope with, but you never have to tackle these issues alone.
