Perpheads and Mental Health: A conversation

[Isaac Kalashnikov]

Ping - 400 ms majority of the time.
Time consuming - school and work is too much.
Desync gameplay - at least 2-3 second slower than other player.
Paralake V6 missing
Bazaar FPS gone like hell and fried my PC.
Bunch of toxic idiots keep complaining PLPD - when majority of the time we get treat like dog shit.

 

[Speedy]

I stopped playing on this server because

1.I got older and can't see myself playing roleplay server when I know people under the age of 18 playing the server
2.wasted 4000$ just to get my fps increased from 20 to 25
3.cheaters getting unbanned

 

[Crimson Nugget]

I stopped playing on this server because

1.I got older and can't see myself playing roleplay server when I know people under the age of 18 playing the server

Not directed to but related to this comment, people really should stop shitting on kids playing the game, or any game really, just because of their age. We all played games as kids, if you're an adult do better than messing with them because they're young. I don't deny that they can be annoying, but a lot of adults are too, and like us, they just want to have fun.

 

[Speedy]

Not directed to but related to this comment, people really should stop shitting on kids playing the game, or any game really, just because of their age. We all played games as kids, if you're an adult do better than messing with them because they're young. I don't deny that they can be annoying, but a lot of adults are too, and like us, they just want to have fun.

Kids not supposed to play games that let them play in the casino or growing drugs and do criminal activities, that bad influence in my opinion

 

[Crimson Nugget]

Kids not supposed to play games that let them play in the casino or growing drugs and do criminal activities, that bad influence in my opinion

That boils down to the "videogames make kids violent" debate which is not over even in scientific literature but that line of thinking is being more and more outdated. Also one could argue that it's better to allow them to do it virtually as a release, akin to how there's some support for loli anime shit because we'd rather pedos get their release through that than with an actual kid.

But that is an entirely different discussion, whether or not children should be able to play is a discussion of server rules, that shouldn't influence how you behave with them as a fellow player once they're already in the game (e.g., constantly insulting or dismissing them because of their age, or their prepubertal voice which may be a bit annoying but a lot of people exaggerate it to look cool with the older guys) because currently they're allowed to play.

 

[Jimmy]

It saddens me when someone makes a genuine supportive thread for mental health issues and some people (including staff) decide use it to minimise other's experiences. You don't know what the person on the other side of the screen goes through on a daily basis. PERP might be an escape from real life for them - it certainly was for me years ago. I consider myself lucky to have come through an extremely low point in my life to where I am now, with a career, house and family to my name. Some people might be going through that low point right now, and if PERP is an escape for them, who are you to tell them otherwise.

If anyone is struggling with their mental health or just needs someone to talk to, my DMs are open.

 

[GSOLAR]

It saddens me when someone makes a genuine supportive thread for mental health issues and some people (including staff) decide use it to minimise other's experiences. You don't know what the person on the other side of the screen goes through on a daily basis. PERP might be an escape from real life for them - it certainly was for me years ago. I consider myself lucky to have come through an extremely low point in my life to where I am now, with a career, house and family to my name. Some people might be going through that low point right now, and if PERP is an escape for them, who are you to tell them otherwise.

If anyone is struggling with their mental health or just needs someone to talk to, my DMs are open.

I think we tend to forget that staff are basically peeps like us. Normally irl when people get such ‘powers’ they usually have some degree of capability, study or trained.
We can’t expect your regular gamer who decided to become staff because he likes the server to suddenly become some beacon of hope and good will. 100% professionalism and constantly looking out to help everyone etc is just not realistic.
I sure as hell know I wouldnt want to act that way 24/7. And after all its just a game.

 

[Speedy]

It saddens me when someone makes a genuine supportive thread for mental health issues and some people (including staff) decide use it to minimise other's experiences. You don't know what the person on the other side of the screen goes through on a daily basis. PERP might be an escape from real life for them - it certainly was for me years ago. I consider myself lucky to have come through an extremely low point in my life to where I am now, with a career, house and family to my name. Some people might be going through that low point right now, and if PERP is an escape for them, who are you to tell them otherwise.

If anyone is struggling with their mental health or just needs someone to talk to, my DMs are open.

Nobody can know what the other person on the other side of the screen goes through on a daily basis and I agree with that, for myself when I used to be 16 and started to play the server I myself got addicted to the gamemode when my friends for example been told me to come out and I was like "Fuck I am growing now those drugs and if I am going with them out I gonna lose like 3-4 hours of growing drugs or in other words those 120k while I have to be with them outside" and in the meanwhile lost half of them, I think people should find their daily limits and prioritize other stuff to do in their free time other than playing pc games. PERP simulates real life and when some one in their life missing something like money or a super car or even friends etc they can get inside the server and achieve that so thats why this server can be an "escape" for some people, but on the other side there should be a limit on how far you can take this video game to and sitting on daily basis and escaping for such a long time it very dangerous and not true in my opinion, playing for that long is never good no matter what its can bring alot of problems in the future( saying from my own experience ).


Maybe a pop up in game after certain amount of playtime would be cool to remind people that playing for long period of time is not good can be a nice addition like how we get the pop up while listen to music on high volume on the phone

 

[Pugga]

I personally believe no one should take anything seriously by what is said by someone on perp. I like to throw around "Suck your mum" or something similar which some people cry over and I do not want to come across un sensitive but how the fuck do you survive in the real world.

I know some people use PERP/ video games as an escape from the real world and I was the same for a few years. Fat Little Pugga being 12 years old playing this or another Garry's mod server and as much as It did distract me from other shit, I am so glad I am not like that anymore. This is not me being insensitive again but how the fuck do you expect to be a happy person if you sit inside 12hours a day playing games? Like sure I used to love playing Call of Duty for hours on end and that is way more toxic than what PERP ever was but There is a whole world out there to explore so If you are still 20+ doing the same thing you should really look at other stuff to do

Your mental health isn't just going to get magically better, its up to you to change that. No medication is just gonna make you feel good, if anything any of the medications I have tried (With anxiety) they just put me in a more lifeless state. Different things work for different people but any sort of counselling and therapy for me was worthless. I had counselling when I was younger and then started therapy about a year n half ago for a month and gave that up, and from that now I personally say I am in the best position Mentally and physically I have been in whole life (Well atleast 10-15years)

But If anyone is struggling with mental health, reach out to people there is always someone to listen to you

 

[Moon]

What can the management, staff team and community potentially do?

I don't know. If said question is referred to mental health problems then my tip for those who do suffer is, the only one who can help YOU is YOURSELF. If you won't no one can, there's good days and bad days it's just life's balance, else how would you know happiness if you don't know sadness? Whatever it is time goes by quickly remember everything has a start but also an end, nothing lasts for an eternity.

I do also agree alot with @Speedy and @Jimmy this thread has been taken out of context it's not a topic you should neglect. It's super likely that you'll fall into depression, have other mental health issues with excessive time on the internet. Seeing people play for over 10,13,15,17,20 hours is insane to me. It doesn't have to be on PERP it could be literally on any game it also doesn't matter if you're on your phone or PC if you're on the internet an excessive amount of time on a daily basis you simply disassociate and blind yourself from reality. And that's obviously so unhealthy to a point there's just no way you wouldn't suffer from it.

 

[Clarky]

Insufferable, power-tripping cop mains really deteriorate my mental health personally.

Another one for you described in one word, Gungame.

 

[Crimson Nugget]

I personally believe no one should take anything seriously by what is said by someone on perp. I like to throw around "Suck your mum" or something similar which some people cry over and I do not want to come across un sensitive but how the fuck do you survive in the real world.

I know some people use PERP/ video games as an escape from the real world and I was the same for a few years. Fat Little Pugga being 12 years old playing this or another Garry's mod server and as much as It did distract me from other shit, I am so glad I am not like that anymore. This is not me being insensitive again but how the fuck do you expect to be a happy person if you sit inside 12hours a day playing games? Like sure I used to love playing Call of Duty for hours on end and that is way more toxic than what PERP ever was but There is a whole world out there to explore so If you are still 20+ doing the same thing you should really look at other stuff to do

Your mental health isn't just going to get magically better, its up to you to change that. No medication is just gonna make you feel good, if anything any of the medications I have tried (With anxiety) they just put me in a more lifeless state. Different things work for different people but any sort of counselling and therapy for me was worthless. I had counselling when I was younger and then started therapy about a year n half ago for a month and gave that up, and from that now I personally say I am in the best position Mentally and physically I have been in whole life (Well atleast 10-15years)

But If anyone is struggling with mental health, reach out to people there is always someone to listen to you

"Don't take it seriously" it's not that simple, you don't always get to choose how certain words or acts affect you, much less when you're a teenager. I can't comment on your specific "suck your mum" example as I haven't seen it though.

As for what I put in red, a lot of people realize their behavior is unhealthy, and again it is not that simple. To take another example in your words, how the fuck do obese people expect to be healthy if they eat 12 burgers a day? Do you not think they realize it and constantly want to lose weight? But they don't succeed, obviously motivation is very important but it is not that simple and that is why people need help, things set up in the brain that make it very hard to quit certain behaviors despite your best wishes.

As for the medication part, you shouldn't make a general statement on medication if what you're going to back it up with is your personal experience. For some people, yes, just medication makes them feel much better, even good. There's enough studies on their efficacy and I know some personally. I am sorry for you that you didn't respond well to neither pharmacology nor psychological treatment, but for some people it literally has saved their life.

Also in some cases people should really research which psychologist they're going to. I had never gone to a psychologist until a few months ago (nothing related to gaming or addiction) and didn't really think I needed one even though I am myself literally a psychologist. First one I went to, didn't research her, I just wanted to see the first one that was available. Was shit for me. The second one substantially changed my life for the better with every single session and I only did 3, probably because I researched her ass more than a guy suspected of being terrorist trying to go on a plane and I liked her background.

 

[Tilin]

"Don't take it seriously" it's not that simple, you don't always get to choose how certain words or acts affect you, much less when you're a teenager. I can't comment on your specific "suck your mum" example as I haven't seen it though.

Whilst it is not that simple, It is also not other people's duty to not cause any triggers. If something is triggering your responses so much, it's your responsibility to yourself to move away from it.

As for what I put in red, a lot of people realize their behavior is unhealthy, and again it is not that simple. To take another example in your words, how the fuck do obese people expect to be healthy if they eat 12 burgers a day? Do you not think they realize it and constantly want to lose weight? But they don't succeed, obviously motivation is very important but it is not that simple and that is why people need help, things set up in the brain that make it very hard to quit certain behaviors despite your best wishes.

As someone who is not obese, but constantly struggles with weight: The issue is that you EXPECT change, but DON'T DO anything for the change. You constantly expect something to change and keep making promises, but nothing ever changes. Yes, it's much easier if people help you, but in the end if you don't want change, no one can make you.

For some people, yes, just medication makes them feel much better, even good.

The downwards spiral Wellbutrin sent, made me realize that the usual type of depression I got is nothing compared to what it could be. I was paralyzed under a blanket, with a continuous unexplainable feeling of doom for 3 days. I didn't even know that was possible.

A lot of people try medication and are so traumatized by it, that it's not even worth trying a new one.

There's enough studies on their efficacy and I know some personally. I am sorry for you that you didn't respond well to neither pharmacology nor psychological treatment, but for some people it literally has saved their life.

There's also enough studies that show that anti-depressants only work around on 20%-30% of people. The same percentage can be achieved through simple exercise .

Also in some cases people should really research which psychologist they're going to. I had never gone to a psychologist until a few months ago (nothing related to gaming or addiction) and didn't really think I needed one even though I am myself literally a psychologist. First one I went to, didn't research her, I just wanted to see the first one that was available. Was shit for me. The second one substantially changed my life for the better with every single session and I only did 3, probably because I researched her ass more than a guy suspected of being terrorist trying to go on a plane and I liked her background.

Have you seen the Healthcare system all around the world? Most of us don't have 50€, let alone 150€ to spend per hour to talk to someone. A lot of countries don't even offer that many choices in terms of psychologists.

I went to one that was apparently "good" and after a 2h discussion of me explaining how I've tried all the shitty planner or similar tricks for my ADHD she tells me: "Let's try the thing with the planner one more time". After I explained to her that it failed, she told me I don't try enough. No lady... I literally forget it exists unless it's in front of my nose 24/7.

In the end the only thing that has ever worked for me was changing my diet, realizing that I will fail but can start again. Going out for walks. Balancing games and life. Finding other hobbies. Socializing in real life. And most importantly: Moving away from my parents.

 

[Bnjemann]

i know no one care and it wont change anything

1. many logic idea getting denied . i dont need to explain everyone can see

2. making plpd overpower . im not saying make the plpd, same crim power but its really unfair after the updates nerfing crim orgs , i dont see any reason to have 20 cops when the server hit 80> or 6 tfu while server are 60 players , im not sure last time i sow big amount of people raiding to gather i think the biggest amount of people past month was 8 and its very rare to happened

all what i mean by that is the max amount of cops/tfu must be lower

3. unban ASDA members

If cops and cheating bans are directly correlated with a decline in mental health you probably should quit perp and live life as a nomad.

 

[Tilin]

Have you noticed signs of diminishing mental health (low self-esteem, struggling socially, feeling down etc)

PERP is like a haven for the mentally ill. Essentially any role-play situation is. Things you can't achieve in life:
- Want to be a cop, but can't due to mental illness? Well you can be on here
- Want to feel powerful by power-tripping? We have that too! Just become a cop, or even better a civilian with a god complex. No one can knock you out if your org will shoot them. Besides even if they do, you'll respawn and look for ways to fuck with them, even though you're not supposed to.
- Lack any control in your life? Oh well, join PERP, rank up in PLPD or just shoot well and people will want to be controlled by you
- Feel lonely? Go to bazaar and find a conversationalist
- Want something addictive? Sure. We got gambling or power-growing which is essentially cookie clicker, but people can steal the cookies from you.
- Want a relationship (as a heterosexual guy)? Find anyone who sounds like a woman and follow them around religiously.
- Feel depressed? Anxious? No worry. Trauma dump to a random guy and never talk to him again.
- Praying on the mentally ill, underage or both? Offer them benefits of your powerful in-game position in exchange.
- Anger management issues? Just annoy someone until they punch you and then shoot them, then freak out on the forums why someone banned you. Then get banned on the forums.
- Feel the need to ruin other peoples fun, because you hate yourself? Yes. Just interrupt every RP situation and pretend to be a sovereign citizen whenever you see a cop, because you still think the action you repeated 50x times are still funny and original.
- Watched too much Ben Shapiro during your teens? No worries. There will always be a group of people to validate your feelings.
- Want to say the N-word a bunch? Well not anymore, but you were allowed to not too long ago.

Do I need to continue?

 

[Bnjemann]

Praying on the mentally ill, underage or both? Offer them benefits of your powerful in-game position in exchange.

Coulda glossed over that point entirely, Didn't seem very relevant.

 

[CABRAMS]

• What is causing you to leave perp, whether it be short or long term;
• What do you feel are the top three factors in affecting you in relation to the community, if at all;
• Have you noticed signs of diminishing mental health (low self-esteem, struggling socially, feeling down etc)
• What can the management, staff team and community potentially do?

1. As of right now, Perp is keeping me going. I actually look forward to getting on and either playing cop or making firearms. I enjoy it. I also love meeting new people and helping them start out

2. I can really only name 1, that is being those who are just toxic. It's a video game, people come on here and escape reality for a while, like myself. I don't come on here to be make fun of, called names, etc.

3. Not really, quite the opposite. Like I said before, I actually enjoy coming on and playing, it just helps me escape reality for a little bit and feel "normal."

4. I think we should really start pushing punishments on those who tell people to kill themselves, to hang themselves, etc. It's not needed in a game and really affects someone if they have had a previous suicide attempt (like me).

This community has helped me in so many ways. The main thing being with the assistance of breaking up with my girlfriend. Even though the thread is now deleted and I hope will never be undeleted, it helped me in so many ways. Almost everyone in this community is here to help and I was going through a dark time, and still kinda am.

I really like to keep my personal stuff in my personal life, but this community has always had open arms when it comes to mental health. I struggle with a lot of things, ADHD, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and anxiety. I have weeks where I am the happiest person alive, then the most depressed person alive. As of right now, I am going through that depression stage. It gets better, but just takes time.

I am a major mental health advocate, even though I struggle with it. I am always willing to talk to people about it. The one issue I have is that I don't help myself, but instead I help others. I mainly believe that is because of my job (as a Firefighter/EMT), where I am supposed to help people. I got a PTSD diagnosis not to long ago due to the job, which ruined me for a while, but it is something that I will have to learn and live with. Finding those ways to cope with it, which I use Perpheads and going on drives on the back roads.


Enough about me though, I just want to say, thank you to all who have actually cared about me in this community and still do. I have met friends that I will play video games with until I die on this server. This is what I wanted of a community, a place to come on, have fun, meet friends, and make memories. Thank you to the management for making a community like this.


I hope everyone has an amazing day and remember, everything works out in the end

Skippy

 

[Crimson Nugget]

Whilst it is not that simple, It is also not other people's duty to not cause any triggers. If something is triggering your responses so much, it's your responsibility to yourself to move away from it.

I agree, I never made an argument against that. If one of my family members decided to kill himself through euthanasia and people around me start talking about euthanasia, it will trigger me but it is my responsability to remove myself from that conversation. That's not what I was referring to though. I don't know how it went from me saying "people can't choose to not take words seriously/to heart" to picking specifically "triggers". If I call someone a "low IQ ape dumbfuck" I'm not causing triggers, I'm just blatantly disrespecting them and some people can't just be like "I choose not to take that seriously". This is covered by server rules and also that of most games and communities so idk a bit of a weird hill to die on.

As someone who is not obese, but constantly struggles with weight: The issue is that you EXPECT change, but DON'T DO anything for the change. You constantly expect something to change and keep making promises, but nothing ever changes. Yes, it's much easier if people help you, but in the end if you don't want change, no one can make you.

I agree, again, I never said the contrary, I just said it is not as simple as having to realize that you're doing something wrong which by your last sentence you seem to agree with me.

The downwards spiral Wellbutrin sent, made me realize that the usual type of depression I got is nothing compared to what it could be. I was paralyzed under a blanket, with a continuous unexplainable feeling of doom for 3 days. I didn't even know that was possible. A lot of people try medication and are so traumatized by it, that it's not even worth trying a new one.

Again, for anecdotes my last ex-gf flat out told me that if it wasn't for antidepressants she probably would'nt be alive. Doesn't mean I think antidepressants are the ultimate cure for everyone. But I don't disagree, there's well-known side effects like weight gain and libido problems, I didn't say they were perfect. My problem with the previous comment was how just mentioning the bad of antidepressants (like you are doing too with your own experience) makes it seem like it can't do some people good, which it does. If all you've read is this kind of comment and one day you're offered antidepressants, you might not want to try even though it could help...

There's also enough studies that show that anti-depressants only work around on 20%-30% of people. The same percentage can be achieved through simple exercise .

Again I didn't say they could cure everyone, obviously otherwise there would be no depressed people. And in the same study you cite you seem to ignore that (1) it applies to non-severe depression; (2) drop-out rates are significantly higher for exercise, meaning that if you need to complete X weeks of exercise to have the same effect as antidepressants, you may not achieve it because you will simply quit; (3) I wouldn't call it "simple" exercise, mean intervention duration is 19 weeks... people without depression can quit sports in way less time.

Have you seen the Healthcare system all around the world? Most of us don't have 50€, let alone 150€ to spend per hour to talk to someone. A lot of countries don't even offer that many choices in terms of psychologists.

For the tenth time, I didn't say otherwise, I think you've misrepresented my points. I made that comment in a clear context, in reference to Pugga who talked about his bad experience with a psychologist, which means he was able to afford/access one, so I recommended researching the psychologist he goes to. Notice how I say "people should research psychs they're going to" which means they already have one or are in the process of getting one. Yes, if you can't afford a psychologist then you can't apply my advice, but I don't understand how you conclude from that that I'm implying everyone is able to afford a psychologist...

 

[THECRX]

I have some great memories raiding etc with you Deci. I'm glad you're doing well man.

haha some good times for sure.

Thanks man, means alot, all the best.

 

[buffcorrell]

This is getting dangerous now.
I'd you need help seek it professionally or DM someone privately, some of the statements about medication and psychiatry/psychology on this thread are going to directly influence some people reading this that need genuine help and it's not appropriate.