Giving to others can be a way of giving to yourself

Even if you feel alone, it’s important to remember that you are actually something larger: your community.

Connectedness refers to the sense of belonging to or engagement with other important people and organizations in your life. For some, this might mean connectedness to school, classmates, and teachers. For others, this might mean connectedness to your neighborhood, your church, or other organizations in your environment.

Connectedness is an important protective factor for youth mental health, and it can reduce the chances of a variety of negative health risks. One way of increasing connectedness is doing things for and with others — like helping to keep your neighborhood clean by picking up trash, working in a community garden to provide fresh vegetables for those who can’t afford them, or helping neighborhood elders with chores and errands. Volunteering has been shown to improve both physical and mental health among youth.

Another great side effect of volunteering is simply this: it feels good to help others. And those good feelings might help you feel better about your own situation. That’s a win-win!

If you are interested in volunteering, check out some of these options or talk to an adult in your community.

Click here to explore other Mental Health Resources.