Australia's peak psychology body the Australian Psychological Society (APS) is calling on Australians to consider volunteering as an accessible and rewarding way to bolster mental health amidst a nationwide mental health crisis.
"With the current cost-of-living and mental health crisis, people are increasingly looking for meaningful ways to bolster their mental health and wellbeing," said APS President Dr Sara Quinn.
"Volunteering offers a range of benefits, including the opportunity to make a profound impact in the community, develop new skills and build vital social connections.
"But perhaps the most impressive benefit of volunteering is the potential positive effects on the social, physical and mental health of the volunteer," Dr Quinn added.
"Volunteering is linked to better life satisfaction, self-esteem, happiness and perceived mental health.
"Volunteering also has the potential to bring purpose to people's lives, create opportunities for meaningful engagement and give people a true sense of accomplishment."
Research suggests the mental health benefits of volunteering may be especially pronounced for older Australians, where studies have linked volunteering to improved self-reported health, reduced depressive symptoms, increased physical functioning, better cognitive functioning and longer lives.
Ahead of National Volunteer Week this 19-25 May, the APS says now is a great time to give back to the community and connect with others, while reaping the potential mental health benefits.
As an example, many APS members act in voluntary capacities in member group committee positions and social impact initiatives such as the Disaster Response Network (DRN).
The Disaster Response Network (DRN) is a national volunteer network of APS psychologists who have completed additional training to provide support to those who work or volunteer in highly stressful or demanding roles in response to disasters, emergencies, and other community events.
"Proudly, the APS has a strong community of committed volunteers, comprised of more than 700 volunteer committee members and almost 1,000 volunteer members of the Disaster Response Network," Dr Quinn said.
Working with Primary Health Networks, NGOs and other emergency service providers, DRN psychologists proactively support the mental health of frontline and emergency support workers. The DRN offers proactive trauma-informed psychology interventions across the preparation, response, and recovery phases of disasters.
"We would like to thank our dedicated team of volunteers for selflessly donating their time and expert skills. The significance of their contribution to the psychology profession and broader community cannot be overstated," Dr Quinn said.
