Three Ways Comic Books Are Good for Mental Health
“Taking time to read a comic is about you giving yourself a moment.
There’s nothing wrong with caring for yourself by taking a break with a comic book. Sometimes it is the best thing you can do on a given day.”
- Alexis Leighton Croffie, PhD, LPC
Comic books have long been a deep and personal source of entertainment for readers. With vibrant characters, exhilarating dramas, and slice-of-life stories, the medium that fuses word and art offers an experience unlike any other.
While comic books may craft unique worlds, they can also have positive benefits towards mental health—an uplifting side effect in today’s overwhelming world.
To explore this further, Dr. Alexis Leighton Croffie was invited to provide expert insight into how comic books can benefit readers beyond the storytelling experience.
Dr. Croffie holds a PhD in Counselor Education, is an Assistant Professor at St. Edward’s University, and has crafted ways to incorporate nerd culture in his clinical work.
During the conversation, Dr. Croffie identified three core ways that comic books are good for mental health: comic book communities can allow for authentic self, comic books can validate a reader’s existence, and reading a comic book can provide a mood boost.
Comic Book Communities can Allow for Authentic Self
Nowadays there are tons of ways to create community in the comic book fandom; readers can connect with fellow patrons at their local comic shop, join a Facebook group, or follow a comic book influencer. (Or :cough: you can subscribe to the Pages and Panels newsletter and be part of the growing community.)
According to Dr. Croffie, any community where an individual can be their authentic self or connect with others helps mental health in general. “One of my mantras that I tell my clients is ‘you’re allowed to be who you are, genuinely, and still be lovable.’ So in my belief, allowing your authentic self to exist in communities builds resilience in difficult times,” said Dr. Croffie. “It’s important to have support for things you’re passionate about.”
Comic Books can Validate a Reader’s Existence
Representation can be a tricky thing. In the world of indie comic books there are a growing number of creators who are making waves in positive representation such as Ghezal Omar who is changing how women and action intertwine or John Aviña from Aviña Comics who produces dozens of unique comic book titles with characters who happen to be Latino.
But representation can extend beyond what most people consider. “I think representation also extends beyond our diversity and intersectionality points being ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and so on,” said Dr. Croffie. “Diversity in storytelling can help readers feel seen in different ways—sometimes it’s about a struggle someone has gone through or is going through and stories that highlight the multitude of challenges in life can be very relatable and remind readers that even their favorite characters may not always have it together.”
“When done correctly and well-informed, representation allows people to be seen. Comic books—and pop-culture in general—have the ability to break cycles of stereotypes that can occur in different mediums, and allows individuals to see how someone like them can exist and impact their world.”
Reading a Comic Book can Provide a Mood Boost
According to Dr. Croffie, reading a comic book and getting out of the normal head space can improve mental health—whether it’s a comic book with comedy, a longtime re-read, or even your personal favorite genre. Yes, this can even include horror. (“As long as it’s not contributing to bringing you down and you’re relating to the hero and not the villain, haha.” -Dr. Croffie)
“Taking time to read a comic is about you giving yourself a moment. There’s nothing wrong with caring for yourself by taking a break with a comic book. Sometimes it is the best thing you can do on a given day. “
But as Dr. Croffie explains, it isn’t just about changing your mental environment but accepting truths.
“Stories can also help remind us that there can be bad with the good and good with the bad—it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing.”
More on Dr. Croffie’s Work
Seth A. Romo: Can you talk about how you have used fandoms in your research and counseling?
Dr. Alexis Leighton Croffie: I am developing a course where Dungeons and Dragons can be used as therapy intervention and I have even presented it at conferences. I enjoy how the fantasy world means you can be whoever you want to be—within reason of the table you’re playing with! By creating a character that resembles who you are, or who you want to be, that is a method of practicing authenticity.
In terms of using pop-culture with my clients, there have been multitudes of times where a pop-culture reference has helped shape discussions, like asking someone who their dementor is if they are a Harry Potter fan. I’ve found that fandoms open up ways to discuss depression or happiness without having the words, or having to explicitly use those terms. The ability to feel heard and validated without having to use words with a “stigma” behind it can make a huge difference.
So for people who are looking to get professional guidance on mental health, how should they start?
First and foremost talk to a trusted friend or family member. In terms of professional help, use “Psychology Today” to find a counselor who specializes in the thing that you’re going through or has the experience with similar situations you’re experiencing. Finally, don’t be afraid to take care of yourself. That may seem simple, but it can be complex for someone who may feel guilty about putting themselves first. The oxygen mask in the airplane is the perfect analogy, if you're unconscious because you're taking care of everyone else first, you become less effective. So don’t be afraid of asking for help. If you're on the other side, sometimes just saying “I can’t imagine what you’re going through” is enough to help someone feel validated; which is so critical to helping someone feel acknowledged and valued.
If you or someone you know needs help, visit: Call 988, visit www.988lifeline.org, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us, or https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/
This interview has been edited for clarity. More on Dr. Alexis Leighton Croffie:
Dr. Alexis L. Croffie is an Assistant Professor in the department of counseling. He earned his PhD in Counselor Education from Texas Tech University (CACREP-Accredited). He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. Most of his clinical experience includes working with survivors of crime, individuals with chronic and terminal illnesses, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Additionally, he is a Certified Therapeutic Game Master and incorporates Table-top Role-playing Games (TTRPGs) such as Dungeons and Dragons in his clinical work. He is an active member in many professional organizations including, but not limited to, Texas Counseling Association, Texas Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors, and Texas Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities.
Dr. Croffie has a strong enthusiasm for the growth of research in the field of counseling. His current research interests include international populations (ex: immigrants, international students, etc.) and their children, ethics in counseling, individuals with invisible disabilities (ex: chronic and terminal illnesses, neurodivergent populations, etc.) pop-culture interventions in counseling, and LGBTQ+ populations. He specializes in qualitative research and enjoys hearing the stories of his research participants.