The gaming world is healing: TakeThis.org, the (beyond) controversial organization that's long portrayed itself as the “mental health advocate” in the gaming community, is on the brink of shutting down.
This is - without a doubt, one of the most positive developments the gaming industry has seen in recent years! The tide is turning...
I'm not going to mince words—
TakeThis.org has long been a thorn in the side of gamers everywhere. Earlier this year, they infamously penned an article crying "Responding to Gamergate2", blaming gamers everywhere for the industry's supposed "problems".
Stating the comical beg for money and handouts:
But the reality is clear: their rhetoric's always been more about pushing a divisive narrative than fostering any genuine "mental health" support. They are the definition of a company that manufactures a 'problem' in order to complain to the government to get money and justify their existence.
TakeThis.org’s reliance on playing the victim card has been evident in their desperate plea for funding. They paint themselves as the 'lone saviors' against the so-called "bad actors" in the gaming community, attempting to convince governments, such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security—yes, you read that correctly—to fund their operations. To the tune of upwards of $700,000 to help fight against... evil gamers? WTF? Where did the money go?
Despite receiving this insane amount in funding, they are still somehow running out of money. Why? Because their mission isn’t about supporting the gaming community; it’s always been about pushing a self-serving agenda under the guise of mental health advocacy... and please - more money!!
A Pattern of Blame and Victimhood
TakeThis.org has repeatedly shown that they are willing to go out of their way to demonize gamers, painting us as the core 'problem' rather than acknowledging the broader, more complex issues facing the industry. Their earlier article on "Gamergate 2" is just one of many examples of their approach, which involves blaming gamers while sidestepping any meaningful or real/actual dialogue.
But now, in a delightful turn of events, they’re facing their own existential crisis. In a press release, Executive Director Dr. Raffael Boccamazzo tweeted out a plea for $80,000 by the end of September to keep their doors open. $80,000.... For WHAT?
They describe the impact they've supposedly made over the past decade, listing initiatives like the "AFK Room" program at conventions, workshops on “neurodiversity-affirming management,” and the creation of awards that celebrate games with mental health themes. Yeah... that all sounds super 'legit'.
Funded ...Yet STILL Failing
Despite all these grand claims, they're still begging for money.
Look - I'm not here to devalue the importance of 'mental health advocacy', but moreso, to hold those accountable for what looks more like a money laundering campaign than anything that is actually necessary in the world of gaming.
What's even more alarming is that part of their funding comes from the Department of Homeland Security—a government body focused on counterterrorism and protecting U.S. soil. We have to ask - why an organization claiming to advocate for mental health in gaming would need funding from Homeland Security!?
Even with this influx of government dollars, they still claim to be on the brink of collapse. Financial mismanagement shows a much deeper issue: they're not as impactful or even close to as necessary as they want you to believe.
TakeThis.org continuously positions itself as a "savior" to the gaming community, yet they repeatedly alienate that same community with their tone-deaf messaging and victim complex. Now - they’re publicly flailing, crying for more funds, suggesting they might soon close for good... Don't tease me.
Why the Potential Closure of TakeThis.org is a Win for Gamers
The closure of TakeThis.org would signal a monumental win for the gaming community, for several reasons:
Less Victim Blaming: TakeThis.org’s narrative has long been that gamers are the problem. Their closure would finally put an end to an organization that seems more interested in moralizing than actually supporting the community it claims to serve.
Exposing Ineffective Advocacy: The fact that TakeThis.org is running out of money, despite receiving $700K from the Department of Homeland Security... showcases their lack of genuine impact and complete failure to secure any support from the very community they claim to represent. It also raises some serious questions about their financial transparency and management.
Fostering Real Mental Health Solutions: The gaming industry does need mental health support, but not from organizations that view gamers with suspicion and derision. We're far better served by groups genuinely committed to positive mental health outcomes rather than ones fixated on finding ways to justify their own existence and funding.
We Are Winning, but We Must Keep Going
The news that TakeThis.org is teetering on the edge of closure is a sign that the gaming community is no longer willing to be scapegoated or vilified by those who claim to be its allies. We've successfully pushed back against organizations and narratives that unfairly paint us as villains!
TakeThis.org’s downfall should be a rallying cry. This is a sign that we're winning, but we must not let up. We must continue to hold these organizations accountable and ensure that those who seek to exploit the community for their gain do not have a platform or a paycheck.
So, as we watch TakeThis.org scramble to gather the funds they desperately need to keep their doors open, remember: this is a victory for every gamer who’s been unfairly maligned, blamed, or targeted. Let’s celebrate this triumph and continue pushing back against those who seek to control and manipulate the narrative in the gaming world.
Let’s keep winning.
~Smash