How does cosplay improve mental health disorders?

Wishgodmother talks mental health in vol 4 of The Cosplay Journal

Simona Tselova

Cosplay has been a vital part of the cultural world in our century and for many cosplayers, it can also help with tackling mental illnesses.

Have you ever dreamt of living in a fantasy?

If yes, then you can surely relate to the 133,000 other cosplayers who attended the London Comic Con last year. Anime, manga and comic conventions are gaining more and more popularity amongst British citizens, becoming an integral part of Britain’s pop-culture.

The phenomenon of dressing up as a favourite character began more than two decades ago when Japan coined the word ‘cosplay’. Ever since, fans have been investing their money, time and skills to create costumes and reenact their role models. However, while for some cosplaying might be a fun way to express their fandom, for others it goes beyond that.

“I’ve got a body dysmorphic disorder,” admits Rebecca Eady, a British cosplayer based in Dorset (@nicennerdy_cosplay). “When I put a costume on, I feel that people are not looking at me but at the character, so I feel more comfortable and outgoing.”

Rebecca is not alone. By entering the accepting, non- judgmental community of people who attend fan conventions, the mother-of-two realised how many people feel the same way: “I think that most of us experience similar feelings of not fitting in.

Everyone has been picked on at some point and a lot of people do have mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.”

"Everyone knows how much I struggle with my body image... for once I think I look beautiful.”

Rebecca’s journey through the world of cosplay had begun unexpectedly when her friend invited her to a small convention near Dorset. By escaping for a weekend from her own reality as a woman who divorced an abusive husband and a mother of a child with an ASD, she understood the importance of taking a break for her well-being. Five years since her first participation, comic conventions and cosplay have become her getaway.

The young woman notices a significant improvement in her mental health and appreciates the small achievements, for example, relearning how to drive. However, although her experience as a cosplayer has boosted her confidence, she finds it tricky to transfer those skills outside the accepting community.

“At those conventions, I don’t have the fear of rejection,” says Rebecca, “but in society, people are a bit taken aback when you share your issues and think you must be completely mental.”

Lack of understanding is what had strengthened the social anxiety of many cosplayers. But unlike Rebecca who appreciates the atmosphere at conventions, what matters most for Jamie Ryder is the character he reenacts.

“I like to dress up as characters I feel personally connected to,” admits the short-story writer and founder of The Comic Vault, a blog devoted to mental health and comics. “I am attracted to antiheroes, for example, the Red Hood aka Jason Todd from Batman. Being able to get through the toughest circumstances is what resonates with me the most.”

Jamie Ryder as the Red Hood. @TheComicVault

With time, Jamie has realised that no one is immunised against mental health issues, not even gods such as Thor or superhumans like Spider-Man. This thought comforts and inspires Jamie to popularise the benefits of comics and cosplaying regarding mental well-being: “Some people embody their favourite character’s personality and that helps them through the real world as well,” he says.

The open and friendly environment at fan conventions helps Jamie to express his “nerdiness,” as he calls it, when it comes to comics. Being aware that he shares common interests with people is why his social anxiety can be overcome at such events.

But if so many fans struggle with anxiety and mental health disorders, are conventions the right place for workshops that tackle those issues?

The cosplayer Scott Baker (@rebelwolfcosplay) is unsure about that: “Although being different is less of a problem at comic cons, people are there just to have fun.” He, like Rebecca, also mentions the getaway feeling around these events, sharing the story of a close friend of his who joins as many conventions as possible to escape from her abusive relationship.

“You are free to talk about your mental health,” Scott says, “because the community is so inclusive. Occasionally, you end up with good friends that care about you.” But changing the main purpose of conventions would ruin the feeling of escapism.

Rebecca, on the other hand, believes that such workshops might be favourable for some cosplayers. However, she is aware that many people with mental health problems might feel overwhelmed by freely sharing their personal story in front of a large audience: “People are often afraid that expressing their feelings might be taken for attention- seeking.”

Devoted cosplayers share Rebecca’s concerns. That’s why the founders of the UK Cosplay Community got involved in the online campaign #MentalHealthMonday – a more private but sympathetic act of kindness which encourages cosplayers to feel less lonely and misunderstood in social media. Using this hashtag, cosplayers may find it easier to connect with like-minded people and share their struggles.

Unabated support and acceptance are what make the cosplay community worldwide so special and social media is an integral part of the process. “My costumes are nothing out of the ordinary,” admits Scott, “but seeing how many people enjoy what I do keeps me going.”

The 31-year-old cosplayer gained instant popularity after sharing his new creative output online. Since then, cosplaying has become a vital aspect of his life. “At first it was so nerve-wracking, I feared to look people in the eyes but now I feel entirely comfortable in what I do.”

The cosplay community is surely something special – it is all about friendship, acceptance and understanding while the rapidly growing and immersive subculture of the “dress up game for adults” overtakes the world. Fans and cosplayers realise that behind the masks and heavy costumes there is a person who might feel weak and scared and are always ready to share their approval of anyone who makes an effort: “If I can make people feel in a slightly better way about themselves,” says Jamie through laughter, “that’s a good day to me.”