Tell us a little about yourself and your community. What kind of space do you aim to create online?
My name is Jorge but most people in this space know me as Mex. I’m a proud father and husband, 3D Designer, and life-long gamer. I’ve been fortunate enough to have found some incredible people through gaming/streaming who have helped me carve out a little corner of the internet that we refer to as our Digital Dive Bar. Whether you want to banter about anime, find chill people to game with, cry about sports, or need somewhere to share what’s going on in your life, we’ve got room for you.
What does Stress Awareness Month mean to you personally?
Having a month that focuses on something we’re all going through is an opportunity for discussion. Sometimes that discussion is an outlet for us to get things off our chest. Other times, it’s a chance to get some much-needed perspective. Regardless, it’s easier to do when everyone is a bit more aware.
Why did you choose to partner with Guardians Mental Health?
My own journey with mental health began a little before I got into content creation, and GMH was immediately on my radar once I started getting more involved in this space. They were always doing things I was happy to support. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that Joe and I were able to connect, and I was able to start helping out in a more official capacity.
Why do you believe mental health conversations are important within gaming communities specifically?
We need our outlets and gaming is as good as any other, but it’s easy for us to self-isolate and get stuck in a cycle of social anxiety and impostor syndrome. We don’t always know how to articulate or even identify what we’re going through. Keeping these conversations going allows us to have a moment of vulnerability where we can talk about what’s going on. Sometimes that’s all it takes to break us out of that cycle.
Have you seen the impact of open mental health conversations in your own community? What changes have stood out to you?
Our community has a space where we can talk about the heavier stuff. None of us are mental health professionals so you can’t go into it expecting us to solve the problem, but you can at least verbalize what's on your mind and let your brain mentally sweat it out. Similar to keeping a journal to get your thoughts on paper.
We also try to dedicate some time on stream to have raw conversations about our highs and lows. Over time, people get more comfortable expressing themselves and sharing their own experiences.
What role do you think gaming can play in supporting mental wellness?
For a lot of us, gaming is our main avenue for socialization, (yes, even gamers need the occasional human interaction.) It’s also a great way to disassociate for a couple of hours when we’re able to get lost in a good story. Sometimes we just need something to fixate on to keep our minds moving.
Why is the work of the Bungie Foundation important to you?
It means a lot to me, as a parent, to be able to provide any comfort to families going through an unimaginably difficult time. I can’t fathom how hard it is to navigate situations like theirs, but I know how much it means to see your kid smile through it all.
What does being a Lightkeeper mean to you?
I love supporting the cause in any capacity, but being able to do it as a Lightkeeper and with other Lightkeepers helps us take it further. It’s easier to maximize our efforts when we can share ideas and resources.
Do you have a favorite Bungie game or universe? What makes it special to you?
I’m totally hooked on Marathon and have so many memories with Halo, but Destiny will always have a special place in my heart. I’ve met some of the best people I know through that world and I wouldn’t be here talking to you guys today if I hadn't gotten into Destiny.
How has being part of the Bungie community shaped your journey as a creator?
I wouldn’t have any kind of platform if it weren’t for this community. I started streaming to document the silly Leviathan runs with my old White Claw clan. Things started taking more shape when people like Danfinity and Nathinsane took it upon themselves to give me some direction. Now I’m lucky enough to hang out with Chrizmo and LoveRachael every Friday doing Trials or Marathon. So many other people I could name that helped me get to where I am, and the Bungie community is the common denominator between us all.
What’s one small habit or tool that helps you manage stress in your day-to-day life?
Take a moment to talk about one high in your life and one low in your life. There’s always going to be one of each. Sometimes it helps slow things down and gives me some perspective.
For someone who may be struggling silently, what would you want them to hear right now?
There are years of my life I won’t get back because I wasn’t ok with the idea that there might be something wrong with me. I probably wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t finally talked to someone about my own mental health. Don’t do what I did and wait until it's almost too late. You owe it to yourself to make that move.
If you could challenge your community to take one action for their mental health this month, what would it be? Anything else to add?
Social media cleanse and touching grass. You don’t need 8 different ways to hear about how bad everything is while simultaneously taking in so many different thoughts and opinions. Getting outside as much as possible is an easy way to put some space between you and all that noise.