The Power of Friendship: Mental Health Protective Factors in Anime & Manga

Mental health protective factors can help protect against the development of and or reduce the impact of mental health problems .

My session will cover protective factors prevalent in anime, gaming, and comics. Two protective factors that I will be discussing are:

1. 1. Social Support: (Nakama (仲間),Guild, Pirate Crew, Team, Roles):
2. Having a strong network of friends and or family can provide emotional and practical support during difficult times. In addition, this network can provide a sense of belonging and help buffer against stress and adversity on mental health.
3. Example: Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew
4. Sense of Purpose and Meaning:
5. Having goals and a sense of purpose can provide a sense of direction and motivation, which can protect mental health.
6. Example: Naruto's goal to become the Hokage
7. During this session, participants will learn about mental health protective factors that are prevalent in anime, gaming, and comics. The panel will help identify protective factors in their own lives. The presenter will provide mental health resources to assist participants further.

Learning Objectives

1. Educate on Mental Health Protective Factors: Participants will be educated on mental health protective factors, understanding their role and importance in promoting mental well-being and resilience against mental health challenges.

2. Analyze the Power of Friendship as a Protective Factor: The session will analyze 'the power of friendship' as a key protective factor, using examples from anime (such as Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew) to illustrate how strong social networks can provide emotional support, enhance a sense of belonging, and alleviate mental health adversities.

3. Explore the Role of Sense of Purpose in Mental Health: Participants will explore the impact of having a sense of purpose and goals, as exemplified by characters like Naruto, in providing direction and motivation and acting as a protective factor against mental health issues.

4. Identify Personal Protective Factors and Utilize Resources: The session will guide participants in identifying their protective factors, drawing parallels with themes from anime, gaming, and comics, and teaching them how to access and utilize mental health resources to support their mental health journey.