Friendship, Fics and Feelings: How Fandoms Support Mental Health

It all starts with a moment. A specific line in a song that caught us in our feelings. A character on screen that perfectly captures our pain or struggles. A scene in a movie that feels all too relatable. A celebrity’s interview moments that make us feel warm and comfortable inside. This hidden satisfaction soon grows to the realisation that many others around the world feel the exact same. And just like that? You’re not alone anymore.

Fandom, by definition, is a subculture composed of fans characterised by a feeling of camaraderie (or mutual trust and friendship) with others who share a common interest. What was once seen as a ‘teenage obsession’ is quietly becoming a form of modern-day therapy, and affects fans worldwide in unimaginable and potentially life-saving ways.

In the age of modernisation, whereby fans connect with one another with easy access on the Internet, it isn’t uncommon to meet people who share similar interests. Surely all of us have friends here and there with varying obsessions; they could stay up to late hours of the night to support Arsenal or Scuderia Ferrari, belt out any one of Taylor Swift’s song lyrics without a single mistake, explain the lore of Attack on Titan, or quote Marvel scenes on a daily basis. Some people may think these obsessions are a bit ‘much’ (how often do we see people complaining about Taylor Swift fans online?), but do we ever stop and think about how wonderful it must feel to be part of a community that brings such indescribable comfort and connection?

Taylor Swift fans at the Eras tour in California (2023)

Stanning, or Healing?

For many who are navigating the struggles of anxiety, grief, identity, and depression, fandoms are not as much of a distraction (as people often assume); they are safe spaces. A fan’s ‘over the top’ screaming could very well be a fan trying to feel alive, expressing excitement in a world that too often feels heavy, burdensome, and silent. Stanning, whether it be for a character, sports team, or celebrity, is a constant in an ever-changing world full of crazy emotions, providing a sense of comfort and security.

Arsenal fans supporting the team at a match

Fandom communities don’t just offer shared interests, but rather, they provide understanding. While some people might not grasp how someone could be so unbelievably excited over something as ‘small’ as a teaser trailer, a concert date, or a fictional character arc, fandoms are filled with people who do. They are a group who understand what makes your heart race, what brings you comfort amid the stresses of reality, and what gives you something to look forward to when you’ve had a gloomy and slow day.

There is no denying that emotional expression, while healthy, is still often frowned upon. It isn’t uncommon to see someone expressing themselves, only to be mocked, muted, or subtly ‘side-eyed’ at. Society has made an unhealthy habit of restraining our emotions, deeming enthusiasm as childish and tears of joy as weakness. But with fandoms? It feels like a whole other world! You can scream with excitement and expect shared joy rather than judgement, showcasing a kind of support the real world has failed to offer. Expression in fandoms isn’t just allowed; it’s celebrated!

One Direction fans (directioners)

More Than Just Dress-Up

Every year, we may find ourselves walking through shopping malls like Sunway Pyramid or KLCC, only to stumble upon crowds of people dressed in vibrant costumes and colourful wigs, carefully carrying hand-crafted props. To outsiders, many may find this scene to be unusual; it’s not every day you see hundreds of adults playing ‘dress-up’ in public. But for those within the community, especially the cosplay community, these events are so much more than mere performance!

It serves as a portal to different realms, where you can channel your creativity and embody the strength, charisma, or charm of the characters you admire most. Whether they be superheroes like Spider-Man, anime characters like Satoru Gojo or game characters like Zhongli, cosplay allows fans to step into these roles and, for a moment, feel like the protagonist of their own story.

Japanese Anime Event, World Cosplay Summit

To cosplayers, embodying their favourite characters allows them to feel at ease and as if they are bringing a part of the magic into real life. Many people often ask cosplayers for pictures, bringing joy to more than just the cosplayers themselves; it’s a moment of shared wonder between the performer and the passerby.

But beyond the photos and applause, cosplay is also therapeutic. For many within the community, the process of designing, sewing, and crafting their costumes is a form of creative escape. From hand-stitching dresses to building armour and props from scratch, these projects become a way to decompress from daily stresses.

In these gatherings, cosplayers find a space to unleash their creativity, connect with people who are equally passionate about dressing up, and celebrate their favourite fandoms without judgement. It’s a beautiful reminder that cosplay is never just about ‘dress-up’; it’s a powerful form of self-expression, storytelling, and healing.

Marvel Cosplayers from Comic-Con 2020

‘Superhero Therapy’

Fandoms are not only beneficial to oneself but in the psychology field too! In recent years, therapists have begun using what’s known as Superhero Therapy; a technique where clients use characters from popular culture, like superheroes or anime and game characters, as tools to explore their emotions, build resilience, and process trauma.

By identifying with characters who face immense challenges, like Peter Parker juggling responsibility and personal struggles, or Miguel O’Hara pushing aside grief with work, clients can frame their own experiences through a more comfortable, relatable standpoint. It’s a way of convincing oneself, ‘If these heroes could do it, so can I.’ Superhero Therapy transforms fandom from simply entertainment into a powerful bridge for healing, growth, and self-discovery.

Miguel O’Hara lost his daughter in ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse’

Peter Parker in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

Fanfiction, Fanart and the Realm of Creativity

Fanfiction and fanart, often brushed off by outsiders as nothing more than playful fantasies and ideas, are, in reality, forms of creativity, emotional expression, and comfort.

For many, especially those navigating the turbulent waters of anxiety, depression, grief, and identity crises, these fan creations are more than just hobbies. They are often coping mechanisms or safe spaces. Writing, editing or illustrating favourite characters can be a soothing form of escapism. A writer might channel their grief into writing a story of their favourite character dealing with a similar issue. An artist might sketch scenes of joy or comfort that they long for in their own life.

It’s about connection. Posting a fanfiction or a piece of fanart opens the door to a global community of readers and viewers who engage, encourage, and empathise. Comments, feedback, and discussions help fans feel seen and valued, creating a space where people support each other and appreciate the time and effort they have put into making their content.

The Last of Us fanart by Sayde on Tumblr

For some fans, reading fanfiction after a long day or scrolling through fanart on Tumblr is almost some form of a comforting ritual. It truly is amazing how something so small can make the weight of the world feel lighter and give you something to look forward to later in the day.

Bullet Train fanart by itme_z on X

What Would Our World Be Like Without Fandoms?

Imagine a world stripped of fandoms. No screaming crowds at concerts, no queues for midnight movie premieres, no cosplayers breathing life into characters at conventions, shelves always filled with merchandise that nobody buys. The entertainment world as we know it would look vastly different: dull, empty, and a lot less colourful.

Fans at a Riley Green concert at Arrowhead Stadium (2023)

Wicked merchandise (2024)

Fandoms aren’t just the reason behind a blockbuster film’s success or a chart-topping album; they keep the very heart of entertainment industries alive. Fandoms are the ones analysing every lyric, pausing every film frame, and keeping the conversations going long after a film’s end credits. They create culture, trends, and moments that transcend time and borders.

Without fandoms, the world would have significantly less excitement and purpose compared to how it is now. The shelves of stores would be emptier, the internet would feel useless, and those moments of joy, whether it’s belting out your favourite Taylor Swift bridge in a stadium or debating the ending of a Netflix series, would be gone.

Fans at the Avengers: Endgame movie premiere (2019)

So, perhaps next time we roll our eyes at a Swiftie crying over a song release or a football fan painting their face in their team’s colours, we should pause for a moment. Because the truth is, these communities are more than just fans; they are dreamers, believers, and people who may have struggled but were soon saved by their fandoms. And maybe, just maybe, we shouldn’t be so quick to judge a fandom. After all, in a world that can often feel isolating at times, who are we to mock the things that make someone feel alive?