Take This Returns to PAX Prime to Create a Safe Haven for Con-Goers

The non-profit charity organization Take This returns to PAX Prime next week to help provide a calm sanctuary for con-goers.

It's easy to be overwhelmed from the sheer amounts of people, noises and activities going on at big-name conventions, such as Comic-Con, E3, Otakon and Gamescom. I have attended a variety of gaming, horror, sci-fi, fantasy and anime conventions over the years, so I understand how overbearing these events can feel. Take This, a non-profit charity organization, will be in attendance at PAX Prime 2015 next week at the Washington State Convention Center to help alleviate some of those stresses. More importantly, they'll be there to promote the awareness, education and understanding of mental health issues.

Take This' team members will be involved in a few panels throughout the event. The team will also be at this year's AFK (Away From Keyboard) Room, which acts as a temporary and safe escape from the chaos of attending a big convention. Take This will be running an info/merch booth in the Diversity Hub Lounge. They're also planning to formally unveil their film, It's Dangerous to Go Alone, at the convention on Aug. 28.

“Take This was started in response to a tragic loss. And the AFK Room was started as a simple idea for how we might prevent further tragedies, and help people regain their calm at busy conventions. This year we’re working with hundreds of volunteers to bring an AFK Room to every PAX event worldwide, plus QuakeCon and others," said Take This Co-Founder Russ Pitts. "It’s catching on, and we couldn’t be prouder. With the help of PAX and other organizations we’re truly eradicating the stigma of mental health issues, and proving it’s dangerous to go alone.”

Where to find Take This at PAX Prime:

• AFK Room, located in room #309
  • Friday – 12-8PM
  • Saturday – 12-8PM
  • Sunday – 12-8PM
  • Monday – 12-6PM
• Information and Merchandise Table in the Diversity Hub Lounge, located in the lobby on Level 6, near the elevators
  • Friday – Monday 10AM to 6PM
  • The new product line includes: Women’s and Men’s tees, unisex hoodies, and Jamberry Nail Wraps
•  “It’s Dangerous to Go Alone” Film Premiere
  • Friday August 28, 9:30PM in the Chicken Theater, Level 6
    • Seating is first come, first serve and free!
• Panels
  • “Depression-Proof Studio Culture: A How-To for Mental Wellness” with Russ Pitts @ PAX Dev, August 27, 2015 at 1:00pm in the Fifth Ave. Room Theater
  • “How to Be a Hero” with Susan Arendt, Dr. Mark Kline, Russ Pitts, Dan Ryckert, Greg Miller, and Marty Silva @ PAX Prime, Monday August 31, 2015 2PM Pacific in the Chicken Theater

[Disclosure: Arcade Sushi Editor-in-Chief Luke Brown is married to a Take This advisory board member.]

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