Human Interaction is a beneficial aspect of mental health that is continuously ignored according to Canadian Mental Health Association.

While there are numerous ways that people can connect, everyone has their social needs met in various ways. 42 per cent of adults said they prefer real human interaction over digital options according to a poll, Crave Human Interaction Despite Pervasive Tech conducted by Kim Hart for Axios on Nov. 20, 2018.

One way people have found human connection is through board games and tabletop games. Showcase Comics employee Dylan Purcell says that having the time away from screens and interacting with others is extremely beneficial to both him and the patrons that come into the store.

“I always tell people you can sit a 14-year-old Magic, The Gathering player across from a dentist, and the two of them will get along great. Even though these are two people that would never meet each other normally, they have something in common. Magic,” Purcell said.

He also says it is a great way for people to set aside differences and find ways to be civil in their discourse. He says it is impossible to win all the time and learning lessons from a loss is very important.

“Everybody loses in a million different ways. So, you’re going to learn how to manage that, the loss. You’re going to learn how to divorce your ego from the results of all these games,” Purcell said.

The long-time Showcase employee sees the benefits that playing games gives to people and notes how much more difficult it can be to interact amidst the pandemic.

“I am mentally able to withstand the pandemic at anything it throws at me. But I have friends and people in my life who do not have that toolbox and they need to contact other people. They need to get out or else they start to regress. They start to struggle,” he said.

Amy-Lynn Reed, the massage clinic manager at Lethbridge College, agrees with Purcell and sees the problems with those coming in for massages.

“You see a lot of people and they tell you a lot of their problems on the table. And I’ve seen a huge negative effect as far as depression goes. As far as anything goes mental health wise, it’s been a lot on people,” Reed said.

She says that the trust between the practitioner and the people that come in is important and a big part of why they feel like sharing their issues while on the table.

“Massage is great for mental health issues in the first place. It’s very good to connect you with your body. It’s good to help you relax… physically as well as mentally,” Reed said

She says to look out for free massages on mental health nights as a part of the programs outreach to students.

More information on the importance of human interaction can be found on Canadian Mental Health Associations website, cmha.ca.