‘Defeat monsters, save world’ for mental health

After the council hosted two successful Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) library sessions in January, enthusiast Tobias Edwardson is calling for their return and has started a petition to gauge interest, with over 50 already keen to take part.
A table-top game appropriate for adults and teens over 12, D&D promotes literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, creative thinking and social skills where players assume a character and cooperate with other players to solve problems, fight pretend monsters and make moral choices affecting others.
Tobias had his first taste of D&D in 2018 and fell in love with the game and its benefits.
“I played a gnome who was a martial artist; I made him really old but nimble,” he said with a laugh.
“I like the game because it lets me tell stories in ways I thought were impossible.
“This year, I started being the Dungeon Master or Game Master, playing with friends.
“With D&D, people think you are playing a game, but what you are doing is taking part in active therapy and increasing your literacy and numeracy skills, not everything can be solved with a sword and shield.”
He said D&D was played in many libraries around NSW and was now part of pop culture.
“It makes sense to offer it in a library where it is a safe, inclusive, non-judgmental space,” he said.
“It’s also perfect for people with autism; it’s easy to pick up and you can build a community by sharing a common goal.”
To join the petition: https://chng.it/KphtmM9yDN.