Another thing we’ve learned this year: “volunteering” no longer requires in-person interaction with others. Virtual and “contactless” volunteering opportunities abound, and should be added to the list of good health practices, along with frequent handwashing, keeping a distance and wearing a mask.
Is volunteering good for our health? Yes. From reducing the risk of depression to reducing stress and helping us live longer, the link between volunteering and good health is widely known.
Now, more than ever, volunteers are needed, as millions of unemployed and low-income people struggle to make ends meet and thousands more are diagnosed with coronavirus every day. The good news is that volunteers of all ages keep showing up, helping and addressing community needs.
As an example, here are 3 lines of volunteering through which United Way promotes good health in its community:
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- Help the elderly. Social isolation caused by the pandemic puts, especially older people, at greater risk of adverse physical and mental health effects. In Madrid, United Way España created a phone support service with trained volunteer staff to help homebound elderly people fight loneliness. In St. Cloud, United Way of Central Minnesota engaged volunteers in assembling kits for distribution to seniors through the Meals on Wheels program. The kits included a puzzle or deck of cards, COVID-19 resources, greeting cards to send to family or friends, notes of encouragement and snacks.
<li>Reinforce mental health services. Train to staff a free national crisis intervention and counseling service available 24/7, conducted exclusively via SMS text messages. In the United States, volunteers are screened and trained at their own pace, and then assigned regular shifts. They can also enroll as volunteers for 211, a community referral service for everything from health needs to financial assistance and other social support.
- Save lives by volunteering for vaccine research and other health research. To learn about future COVID-19 study opportunities offered through the National Institutes of Health, subscribe to a mailing list or check clinical trials in your area.
And if these ideas aren’t enough to get you moving, consider this: volunteering makes us happier. A recent report published by the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who had volunteered the previous year were more satisfied and rated their overall health as better compared to people who did not volunteer. People who volunteered at least once a month reported better mental health than participants who volunteered rarely or not at all.
As COVID-19 continues to affect all countries and many communities around the world, United Way calls on volunteers who want to contribute as best they can. Don’t wait. Search our portal today to find where you can volunteer to protect the health of others—and your own.
Mei Coob
Senior Director, Volunteer Engagement. United Way
Illustration: Ignacio Hildebrandt