Mental health is critical to our overall well-being, but not everyone has access to the resources they need to support their mental health. This is where Give an Hour comes in. As a nonprofit organization, Give an Hour provides free mental health services including therapeutic care, peer support, training and education, and mental health resources to those who need mental health care but may not otherwise have access to it. Give an Hour can’t do this work alone. Volunteers are essential to our mission! Volunteering with Give an Hour not only supports others but can also improve your own mental health. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of volunteering with Give an Hour and how you can get involved.
The Benefits of Volunteering with Give an Hour
Research has shown that volunteering can have a positive impact on mental health. According to a study by Mental Health America, individuals who volunteered had lower rates of depression and higher life satisfaction compared to those who did not volunteer. Another study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that individuals who volunteered reported higher levels of happiness and lower levels of anxiety and depression. When you volunteer with Give an Hour, you not only have the opportunity to support those in need, but you can also reap the benefits of volunteering.
Becoming a Give an Hour Provider
Becoming a Give an Hour Provider is one way to get involved with the organization. As a provider, you can volunteer one hour a week to support the mental health of those in need. Providers can offer their services in a variety of ways, including in-person, via phone or via video conference. By volunteering as a Give an Hour Provider, you can make a real difference in the lives of others while also improving your own mental health.
Give an Hour provides free continuing education (CE) opportunities to its providers, giving you the opportunity to learn and grow in your profession. Additionally, Give an Hour hosts networking events, and webinars, and provides access to training opportunities through its network of partners, which can help you build new skills and connect with other professionals.
Give an Hour serves a diverse range of vulnerable populations, which offers provisionally licensed therapists the opportunity to work alongside populations they may not have otherwise had access.
Wellness Ambassador Program
In addition to becoming a Give an Hour Provider, you can also get involved with the organization through its newly created Wellness Ambassador Program. This program provides training, tools, and resources to individuals and communities who want to make a difference in their communities. As a Wellness Ambassador, you’ll receive training in mental health and wellness, as well as resources to help you educate others about mental health and wellness and self-care. By becoming a Wellness Ambassador, you can use your own lived experiences to help others and make a difference in your community.
Give an Hour is committed to supporting the mental health of our volunteers. Here are some ways we can help our volunteers maintain their well-being while volunteering with us:
- Encourage self-care: We encourage our volunteers to prioritize self-care by engaging in activities that bring them joy, getting enough rest and exercise, and taking time for themselves.
- Support healthy boundaries: We understand the importance of establishing healthy boundaries to avoid burnout and emotional exhaustion, and we encourage our volunteers to set these boundaries with the people they’re helping and their fellow volunteers.
- Foster connections: We recognize that volunteering can be isolating, and we support our volunteers in maintaining their relationships and seeking support from friends, family, or a professional counselor if needed.
- Celebrate the positive: We celebrate the small victories and progress that our volunteers make, helping them take pride in their work and appreciate the impact they’re making.
- Encourage mindfulness: We support our volunteers in incorporating mindfulness exercises like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga into their routine to reduce stress, increase focus, and improve overall well-being.
- Offer professional development: We provide opportunities for our volunteers to learn new skills, take courses, or attend workshops, which can boost their confidence, make them more effective in their role, and provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Mental health is critical to our overall well-being
Give an Hour’s aim is to support mental health for life. We are doing important work to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to support their mental health. By volunteering with Give an Hour, you can support this mission while also improving your own mental health. Whether you become a Give an Hour Provider or a Wellness Ambassador, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others while also learning and growing both personally and professionally. Consider volunteering with Give an Hour today and see the impact you can make.
