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=== Death of Reckful ===
=== Death of Reckful ===
Starting in late 2019, Kanojia conducted several public interviews with online celebrity Byron Bernstein, also known by the nickname [[Reckful]], who discussed his issues with depression, [[bipolar disorder]] and his brother's suicide during the livestream.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-08 |title=Tragic Things Dr. K Got Streamers To Admit |url=https://www.svg.com/680848/tragic-things-dr-k-got-streamers-to-admit/ |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=SVG |language=en-US}}</ref> Berstein stated that his interviews with Kanojia made him feel better<ref name=":4" /> and helped him "hear my thoughts affirmed about what is important to my life".<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2019-12-03 |title=Psychiatrist Brings Streamer To Tears During Confessional Stream |url=https://kotaku.com/psychiatrist-brings-streamer-to-tears-during-confession-1840158282 |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref> He also stated that Kanojia did not call those interviews therapy "for legal reasons" and, as a result, decided that he should also not label them as such. Berstein used the word "therapy" in the title of one of his videos with Kanojia.<ref name=":5" />
Starting in late 2019, Kanojia conducted several public interviews with online celebrity Byron Bernstein, also known by the nickname [[Reckful]], who discussed his issues with depression, [[bipolar disorder]] and his brother's suicide during the livestream.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-08 |title=Tragic Things Dr. K Got Streamers To Admit |url=https://www.svg.com/680848/tragic-things-dr-k-got-streamers-to-admit/ |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=SVG |language=en-US}}</ref> Bernstein stated that his interviews with Kanojia made him feel better<ref name=":4" /> and helped him "hear my thoughts affirmed about what is important to my life".<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2019-12-03 |title=Psychiatrist Brings Streamer To Tears During Confessional Stream |url=https://kotaku.com/psychiatrist-brings-streamer-to-tears-during-confession-1840158282 |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref> He also stated that Kanojia did not call those interviews therapy "for legal reasons" and, as a result, decided that he should also not label them as such. Bernstein used the word "therapy" in the title of one of his videos with Kanojia.<ref name=":5" />


In July 2020, Berstein died by suicide.<ref name=":6" /> After his death, Kanojia published an hour-long video where he talked about grief, depression and Berstein's death. During the livestream, he advised viewers to seek professional mental health counsel if they were feeling symptoms of depression.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Liao |first=Shannon |date=2020-08-05 |title=A Harvard-trained psychiatrist is on Twitch helping gamers with their mental health {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/05/tech/dr-k-healthy-gamer-gg-twitch-wellness/index.html |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> He also stated in the video that his livestreams were not a replacement for therapy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2021-05-15 |title=Streamers aren’t therapists. But some therapists are streamers |url=https://www.polygon.com/22432479/twitch-therapy-livestream-mental-health-access |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>
In July 2020, Bernstein died by suicide.<ref name=":6" /> After his death, Kanojia published an hour-long video where he talked about grief, depression and Bernstein's death. During the livestream, he advised viewers to seek professional mental health counsel if they were feeling symptoms of depression.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Liao |first=Shannon |date=2020-08-05 |title=A Harvard-trained psychiatrist is on Twitch helping gamers with their mental health {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/05/tech/dr-k-healthy-gamer-gg-twitch-wellness/index.html |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> He also stated in the video that his livestreams were not a replacement for therapy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2021-05-15 |title=Streamers aren’t therapists. But some therapists are streamers |url=https://www.polygon.com/22432479/twitch-therapy-livestream-mental-health-access |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>


In 2022, YouTuber Max "mrgirl" Karlson published a documentary featuring clips of Kanojia's interviews with Reckful and others, which he considered problematic. Karlson's videos featured inputs from mental health professionals, who criticized Kanojia for conducting what amounted to live therapy sessions in front of a live audience, which they deemed "irresponsible". In response to the accusations of ethical violations, Kanojia stated that Bernstein was a friend, not a patient, and that his interviews were not therapy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is the Healthy Gamer Community, and Who Is Dr. K? |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/healthy-gamer/healthy-gamer-dr-k |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2022, YouTuber Max "mrgirl" Karlson published a documentary featuring clips of Kanojia's interviews with Reckful and others, which he considered problematic. Karlson's videos featured inputs from mental health professionals, who criticized Kanojia for conducting what amounted to live therapy sessions in front of a live audience, which they deemed "irresponsible". In response to the accusations of ethical violations, Kanojia stated that Bernstein was a friend, not a patient, and that his interviews were not therapy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is the Healthy Gamer Community, and Who Is Dr. K? |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/healthy-gamer/healthy-gamer-dr-k |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

Revision as of 15:56, 27 June 2023

Alok Kanojia
Born (1982-10-07) October 7, 1982 (age 41)
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Texas at Austin (BS)
Tufts University (MD/MPH)
OccupationPsychiatrist
Twitch information
Also known asDr. K
Channel
Years active2019–present
GenreInterview
Followers632,000
Last updated: June 24, 2023
Websitehttps://www.healthygamer.gg/

Alok Kanojia, also known as Dr. K. (born October 7, 1982),[1][2] is an American psychiatrist and co-founder of the mental health coaching company, Healthy Gamer. He streams interviews on Twitch, where he and participants discuss mental health topics.

Early adulthood

Kanojia became addicted to video games during his time at the University of Texas at Austin, leading to missed classes and bad grades. At the age of 21, he moved to India to become a monk.[3]

Kanojia began studying alternative therapies including yoga, meditation, and Reiki in 2003 with particular attention to the Ayurvedic principle that mental health is inextricably linked to physical health. He got his addiction under control and graduated in 2007 with a biology major.[2]

Kanojia began a placement at Tufts University School of Medicine in 2010, receiving his medical degree in 2014, following which he started a residency at Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency Program.[3]

Career

After graduation, Kanojia discovered that he had many friends who were also addicted to video games. He began helping them, but he soon realized that he didn't have the time to provide support to everyone. This prompted Kanojia and his wife Kruti to create a startup, Healthy Gamer, through which they could provide resources to help people overcome their addiction.[3] He has stated that he believes gaming addiction is not typically treated productively by therapists and hopes to provide better support.[4][5]

Kanojia started hosting group discussion sessions to talk about gaming and mental health and, finding that these were valuable to participants, began streaming on Twitch.[6] He hosts live interviews mainly with other popular Twitch streamers where they discuss mental health issues. Guests of the show have included Reckful, Asmongold, Mizkif, xQc, Alinity and Pokimane. Kanojia also includes viewers who apply to be interviewed publicly on his livestreams.[2][7] Before participating in his livestreams, every guest signs a consent form.[8] Some psychologists have raised concerns that, despite disclaimers stating that Kanojia's streams aren't therapy, they can still be perceived as such.[6] Kanojia's streams have been among the most popular mental health channels on Twitch due to his high-profile guests.[9]

Healthy Gamer, which received support through an incubator at Boston University,[10] trains coaches who provide non-medical advice and support to the gaming community.[2] The coaches go through 10 weeks of free training and are paid to host individual and group sessions for paying customers, through which they explore attendees' goals and motivations and may provide guidance on meditation.[2] The guides are not licensed medical professionals, and Kanojia encourages participants to continue with other support from trained psychiatrists or therapists.[5]

Death of Reckful

Starting in late 2019, Kanojia conducted several public interviews with online celebrity Byron Bernstein, also known by the nickname Reckful, who discussed his issues with depression, bipolar disorder and his brother's suicide during the livestream.[6][11] Bernstein stated that his interviews with Kanojia made him feel better[11] and helped him "hear my thoughts affirmed about what is important to my life".[12] He also stated that Kanojia did not call those interviews therapy "for legal reasons" and, as a result, decided that he should also not label them as such. Bernstein used the word "therapy" in the title of one of his videos with Kanojia.[12]

In July 2020, Bernstein died by suicide.[13] After his death, Kanojia published an hour-long video where he talked about grief, depression and Bernstein's death. During the livestream, he advised viewers to seek professional mental health counsel if they were feeling symptoms of depression.[11][13] He also stated in the video that his livestreams were not a replacement for therapy.[14]

In 2022, YouTuber Max "mrgirl" Karlson published a documentary featuring clips of Kanojia's interviews with Reckful and others, which he considered problematic. Karlson's videos featured inputs from mental health professionals, who criticized Kanojia for conducting what amounted to live therapy sessions in front of a live audience, which they deemed "irresponsible". In response to the accusations of ethical violations, Kanojia stated that Bernstein was a friend, not a patient, and that his interviews were not therapy.[15]

In an article for Psychology Today, psychologist David J. Ley described potential issues with livestreamed advice from therapists, mentioning Reckful's death as a "tragic case". According to Ley, "[therapists] are adamant that the interactions are not therapy—though the interactions get clinical and involve discussion of emotional and psychological needs, as well as potential diagnoses." He states that while the intent may be to raise awareness of mental health and destigmatize therapy, such advice may "also lead to people thinking that they have received mental health treatment and that they don’t need to see a real therapist or seek clinical treatment".[16]

Research psychologist and Twitch streamer Rachel Kowert claimed that Kanojia's online show is "clearly therapy" and expressed concerns for the health of the guests of his interviews. She said that there is nothing inherently wrong with conversations being made public, but that there is a "clear line" between a mental health advocate and a mental health professional; the line being that mental health advocates generally do not provide direct recommendations or opinions about specific cases, while mental health professionals do. Kowert pointed to a segment of a 2019 livestream between Kanojia and Bernstein where the former said "you may have clinical depression, but I think what you are describing is not clinical depression" after Bernstein started talking about his bipolar II disorder diagnosis and lack of happiness.[6]

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2022 The Streamer Awards Best Philanthropic Streamer Nominated [17]

References

  1. ^ @healthygamergg (October 7, 2020). "Happy Birthday Dr. K! @dr_alokkanojia :D" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b c d e Liao, Shannon (5 August 2020). "A Harvard-trained psychiatrist is on Twitch helping gamers with their mental health". CNN Business. Retrieved 26 September 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b c Heaven, Will Douglas (25 November 2019). "Video game addiction is now being recognized—what happens next?". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 26 September 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Quinn, Cristina (14 January 2020). "When A Gaming Hobby Becomes An Addiction, This Doctor May Have The Solution". WGBH. Retrieved 26 September 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b Lee, Jonathan (13 October 2020). "Harvard psychiatrist reveals mental health epidemic plaguing young video gamers: 'It's actually quite severe'". In the Know. Retrieved 22 January 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b c d Limbong, Andrew (13 January 2021). "To Help Gamers on Twitch, Dr. K Balances Mental Health Advice With Medical Ethics". NPR. Retrieved 22 January 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Grayson, Nathan (3 December 2019). "Psychiatrist Brings Streamer To Tears During Confessional Stream". Kotaku. Retrieved 26 September 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Limbong, Andrew (13 January 2021). "To Help Gamers on Twitch, Dr. K Balances Mental Health Advice With Medical Ethics". NPR. Retrieved 22 January 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ Carpenter, Nicole (15 May 2021). "Streamers aren't therapists. But some therapists are streamers". Polygon. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  10. ^ Dumas, Bob (1 November 2019). "BU Lab program offers addiction counseling for gamers". Boston 25 News. Retrieved 26 September 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ a b c "Tragic Things Dr. K Got Streamers To Admit". SVG. 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  12. ^ a b "Psychiatrist Brings Streamer To Tears During Confessional Stream". Kotaku. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  13. ^ a b Liao, Shannon (2020-08-05). "A Harvard-trained psychiatrist is on Twitch helping gamers with their mental health | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  14. ^ Carpenter, Nicole (2021-05-15). "Streamers aren't therapists. But some therapists are streamers". Polygon. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  15. ^ "What Is the Healthy Gamer Community, and Who Is Dr. K?". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  16. ^ Ley, David J. (2022-07-07). "2 Things Most Therapists Do but Shouldn't". Psychology Today. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  17. ^ Miceli, Max (22 February 2022). "All nominees for QTCinderella's Streamer Awards". Dot Esports. GAMURS Group.
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