Mental health benefits of volunteering

Have you ever felt lonely and depressed in your free time like you were lacking purpose in your life and should be doing something productive? Volunteering could be just what you need. Studies from HelpGuide show volunteering creates a great impact on a person’s life and benefits them with a boosted feeling of happiness, reducing stress and creating a sense of meaning and purpose. Plus, it is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and make your free time more fun and meaningful.

Whether we are working with adults and children, creating meaningful relationships with them can create a sense of happiness and good feelings, which in turn reduces your stress and improves your mood. If you are feeling lonely and combatting depression, volunteering can help the mind get distracted from a destructive habit like overthinking, negative thoughts. By focusing on the needs of others, you can create a positive distraction. It can also boost motivation by offering a sense of accomplishment.

When I first started volunteering at an orphanage, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wanted to help in any way I could, whether it was with their studies or teaching them new skills. At first, they were all shy around me, and honestly, I felt a little nervous too. But as I kept going back, they started greeting me with excitement, eager to spend time together. I always had fun interacting with the children and whenever I would teach them about certain new topics, their eyes would fill with great curiosity and enthusiasm. Over time, I became like a big brother to them, and that bond gave me a deep sense of joy and fulfillment. In many ways, the experience was just as good for me as it was for them. My mental health soared, and I felt more valued and appreciated than ever before.

While volunteering, we can also make new friends and interacting with like-minded people helps us grow our social network. Connecting with like-minded people fosters meaningful and light-hearted connections, creating a strong sense of belonging. It’s possible to create friendships that last a long time even after the volunteering ends. The friendships made through volunteering are special because they come from working together, sharing experiences, and a shared desire to help others. Even after my time at the orphanage, I’ve stayed in touch with some of the people I volunteered with, and those bonds continue to remind me of the impact we made together.

When you volunteer, you’re not just spending time – you’re taking on new challenges that help you grow. Studies by the Mayo Clinic Health System say people who volunteer feel more confident, connected, and ready for new opportunities. Imagine organizing a charity event. At first, it feels like too much. You have to make phone calls, find sponsors, and meet deadlines. But in the end, everything comes together. You see people enjoying the event, feel the excitement around you, and realize – you made this happen. You learned how to plan, work with others, and stay on schedule. That’s leadership, teamwork, and time management in action.

Right here in our London, Ontario, volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of children from underprivileged areas. At LUSO Community Services, they help kids with schoolwork, offer guidance, and provide emotional support, things these children might not have access to. Right now, we have 35 dedicated volunteers working in tutoring, event planning, and community outreach. Without them, many kids wouldn’t get the help they need to learn, grow, and feel supported. Whether it’s assisting with homework, organizing fun activities, or simply being there to listen, every volunteer plays an important role. And it’s not just the kids who benefit-volunteering at LUSO can change your life too! It helps you develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills while giving you a sense of purpose.

So why not join us? Be part of something meaningful and help create a better future for these children – one small act of kindness at a time.