Physical and Social-Emotional Health

Teens and young adults in our community and throughout the country face increasing anxiety disorders, depression, and ADHD. According to the United States Office of Population Affairs, an estimated 49.5% of adolescents have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. The good news is that promoting positive mental health can help prevent some of these problems.

Dubuque Esports League uses esports as a platform to grow participants' social-emotional attributes and characteristics by providing a safe and positive community for gaming. They are smashing the stigma of video gaming and using it to come together in a structured environment to gain skills developed in other traditional sports. The population they reach often finds comfort in being online and having a screen as a barrier to building relationships, and DEL plans to break down those walls.

Players participating in competitive gaming will:

  • Find a positive community of others that love to game

  • Be present, learning to participate and work as a team

  • Learn how to handle victory and defeat

  • Learn to recognize and build each player's strengths

  • Collaborate and build positive relationships with teammates, coaches, and mentors

  • Learn new communications skills

  • Access the DEL Freak Out Room, where you can find quiet time, punch a punching bag, or lift weights to burn off excess energy.

  • Have the opportunity to work with our coaches and mentors - all youth workers have had a background check, are mandatory reporters, and have had specific esports training.

We provide education on the following topics within our programs:

  • Online harassment (social & gaming)

  • Mental health and gaming

  • Video game addiction

  • Parenting and screen time

  • Accessibility and gaming

  • Women/Girls in esports