Doctor Tries to Convince FATE Players that Stress Can Damage Your Body
Despite numerous studies that show that stress can cause a wide array of health issues, many FATE players are still in denial. Dr. Miguel Jimenez at Johns Hopkins University has started an initiative to spread awareness about the issue. “When talking with a FATE player, one of the first things they’ll say as soon as you start talking about stress is ‘it’s not damage.’ They seem to labor under the belief that stress goes away as soon as they enter a new scenario, and that’s simply not the case.”
In an appointment we were able to sit in on, we watched Dr. Jimenez face the challenge of explaining the issue to a patient. “I don’t see what the problem is,” they said, “It’s not a like a deep cut or a first-degree burn that’s going to stick around for a while. So I should be good, as long as there aren’t any serious consequences.”
Dr. Jimenez’s rebuttal is gentle, yet firm. “It’s true that it’s not as immediately serious, but this isn’t a contest. The fact of the matter is that prolonged stress can take a real toll on the body. It can lead to elevated blood pressure, and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.”
Dr. Jimenez says the release of FATE Accelerated has helped his cases somewhat. ‘FAE combined the mental and physical stress tracks into one single track, which can make it easier to explain how a mental problem can lead to a physical one. It can still be difficult to reach those who want a slightly crunchier game, but it’s a place to start.” When we asked what other problems are facing FATE players today, Dr. Jimenez said, “Honestly, we need to make sure they have better mental health access. Whenever I meet a FATE player, they inevitably bring up their troubles and issues, and I’m not qualified to handle that.”
