Helping someone else could be one of the best things you do for yourself this Mental Health Month
By Patronella Sono, Staff Volunteerism Programme Specialist at Momentum Group Foundation
By this time of year, life feels like a circus – and somehow you’re every act, juggling balls and walking tightropes. Between work deadlines and family commitments, finding time for anything beyond your usual responsibilities can be a challenge. But one of the best things you can do for your mental wellbeing might be to make a little room for someone else.
When we think about volunteering, we tend to focus on the people being helped. Yet helping others can lift your own spirits and give you something positive to focus on when life feels overwhelming. Research backs this up: a 2026 study at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that people who performed acts of kindness for others reported feeling less anxious, lonely and depressed. Of course, volunteering cannot replace professional mental health care, but it can play a valuable role in supporting your wellbeing. Here are three reasons why.
1. It helps you feel connected to others
You can spend an entire day surrounded by colleagues or family and still feel lonely, because just being around people is not always the same as feeling connected to them. Volunteering creates opportunities to meet people and talk about your shared goal – no small talk about the traffic on the N1 needed. Whether you’re buttering sandwiches at a soup kitchen or helping paint classrooms at a local school, you already have something in common with the stranger next to you. For someone who feels isolated or has fallen out of touch with their social circle, having somewhere to go and people to spend time with without the usual social pressures can make a real difference.
2. It reminds you that you have something to offer
Doing something helpful for another person can bring back a sense of purpose, especially when you can see the result of your efforts. At Momentum Group Foundation, we see this enthusiasm firsthand. Our monthly corporate social investment collection bins at major Momentum Group offices fill up quickly with employee donations, while spots at our annual World Food Day food parcel packing events are snapped up as soon as invitations go out. No matter how your day is going, knowing that tonight a family will eat because you packed a food parcel will remind you that even a small act can make a difference, and that what you do matters.
3. It helps you see things differently
Sometimes, the best way to get out of your own head is to spend a little time in someone else’s world. Volunteering gives you a glimpse into lives that may look very different from yours, helping you appreciate things you might otherwise take for granted. That doesn’t mean your own worries magically disappear, but an overflowing inbox might seem less stressful.
Volunteering can be a surprising way to give your mental health a boost, and you don’t have to give up your weekends to feel the benefits. Start with something close to home or join a workplace initiative, and choose an activity that fits comfortably in your schedule. Find something you enjoy doing – from building Santa Shoeboxes to playing with shelter animals – so that giving back becomes a pleasure and a way to feel more hopeful.
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