Building Mental Health Resources Through Service

As we step into the new year, many of us have contemplated our goals and envisioned what lies ahead, while for others, 2024 feels expansive, open, and a seemingly empty Saharan desert. It would be a mistake to pretend that we all embrace the idea of new and that possibility is synonymous with excitement. By acknowledging a diversity of starting points, we remain mindful of those around us, and reflecting on how we contribute to improving things is paramount to that mindfulness. During a recent meeting at Points of Light , a board member eloquently described civic engagement as “the rent we pay to live on earth.” I hold a profound belief in this perspective, not only because viewing ourselves as integral parts of a larger society connects us to a broader universe but also because, in a time where many are experiencing feelings of isolation and mental health challenges, to the extend that the Surgeon General declared loneliness as the next pandemic in 2023, being actively engaged, volunteering, and participating in a community significantly impacts our own mental health and that of others.?

Service by itself has tremendous benefits, but oftentimes, it overlaps its own wins with subsequent opportunities. As we address the pandemic of loneliness, the National Alliance for Mental Health reminds us, “We can’t underestimate the personal and wide-reaching impacts of volunteering and activism, particularly in the mental health field. Your work could not only boost your emotional well-being, it could also be a critical step toward ending stigma.” How many of us are comfortable sharing publicly that we are beginning this year with trepidation or fear? How many of us will raise our hands and say that our disillusionment and unconnectedness bring a sense of dread? Those aren’t the posts we’ve all been seeing on LinkedIn. It can be draining even to consider speaking up with a negative viewpoint. And while service is not a substitute for adequate conversation around mental health care in this country, it is a gateway for connectedness. Reaching out and offering to serve can feel easier than admitting how hard things have gotten.?

Over the past two decades, I have witnessed the transformative power of service, consistently moved by the profound impact it has, not only on individuals directly involved but also on the broader community. Whether it’s a data analyst contributing an hour of skilled volunteering at the Taproot Foundation , discovering how their expertise can enhance a nonprofit’s ability to address community needs, or an Executive Director engaging in a day of service with Common Impact , finding solace and guidance from an HR professional exemplify the togetherness possible with skills and goodwill. Whether it’s the one-to-one mentorship within the Smith College parenting community, as we navigate the challenges of parenting together, or my own endeavors in establishing an organizational arm at Bennett Day School , offering scholarships for low-income students, all reinforce the notion that these moments of service foster connection rather than division, highlight the inherent goodness that exists between people.

Peter Shepherd , serving as a Commissions Finance Manager at 铿腾设计系统公司 and contributing as a Team4Tech volunteer, offered insights into his experiences with volunteering, both on a personal level and as an integral part of his professional culture. ?“I always have a much better mood whenever I do a volunteer project; it just makes me feel good to know I’m helping someone. [I know] Cadence supports volunteerism because it supports the mental health of their employees, developing their employees and [working with] organizations like Team4Tech [who, as part] of their mission,[are] making sure that the volunteers are getting leadership development which benefits the nonprofit.” Peter elaborated on a sense of volunteering as a human responsibility, emphasizing how it contributes to a more interconnected world.

In an era marked by a sharp rise in mental health challenges among adults, evidenced by a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression during the pandemic, service emerges as a tangible avenue through which we can collectively contribute. While it is crucial to acknowledge that service is not a replacement for medication or formal therapy, it can serve as a meaningful outlet for those who may feel powerless in the wake of a burgeoning mental health epidemic. Engaging in service becomes a proactive means of involvement for individuals looking to make a positive impact amid these circumstances.?

Numerous discussions have centered on the divisive nature of our country and its role in the pervasive pandemic of loneliness. However, it is essential to remember that, despite the myriad of challenges we confront, we possess inherent strengths with service standing as a longstanding pillar of our nation.? President George H.W. Bush believed that “service unites” and founded Points of Light to ensure a legacy of commitment to service. President Clinton believed that “We all do better when we work together. Our differences do matter, but our common humanity matters more” and established the Corporation for National and Community Service, now AmeriCorps , as a government office, and President Obama believed “our destinies are bound together…a freedom without commitment to others…is unworthy of our founding ideals.” These leaders saw service as a connector benefiting those being served and those in service.

Considering their perspectives and the tangible actions that followed, coupled with compelling evidence affirming that active engagement effectively addresses loneliness, is there any valid reason not to make service our collective commitment for 2024???