Volunteering and Mental Health: How Helping Others Helps You

I volunteer because I enjoy seeing the impact I can make in a huge world, even if I volunteer for thirty minutes it still makes a huge difference in someone's life. The impact you can make in this world is right there you just have to devote a little time. Volunteering can change your perspective on life and give you a clear understanding of what is important. -- Charlotte Madden, NHS Vice President

Community service is a great way to help others, but have you ever thought about how much it can help you? There are a plethora of ways that research shows volunteering can help improve mental health including: an increased sense of purpose and fulfillment, improved social connections, boosted self-confidence, and so much more. This article will break down those benefits, highlight students in our own community who can testify to this, and show ways you can get involved right now. 

Research Proves Volunteering Contributes to Improved Mental Health

The connections between better mental health and volunteer work are infinite. The National Alliance on Mental Illness says that volunteering can reduce stress and other negative feelings by releasing dopamine and feeling more appreciation. They also reference a 2020 study from the UK that proved people who volunteered had increased happiness and overall health. The social connections that volunteering provides not only strengthen the community but can build stronger relationships with new people and improve your self-confidence. You can find new support systems or nurture existing relationships by doing service work together. Doing something for the greater good of others provides people with a sense of empowerment and belonging that is incredibly valuable. Mayo Clinic says that this decreases the risk of multiple mental health issues. The most important thing that each source points to is the increased sense of purpose and fulfillment. The work volunteers do has meaning and to accomplish something that serves this purpose is incredibly beneficial for self-esteem. This is just a few of the many ways community service can be an advantageous hobby.  

The Impact of Service: Voices from North Scott

At North Scott, service isn’t just about giving back—it’s about growth, connection, and finding purpose. Volunteering has a profound impact on both the community and the individuals who take part, as reflected in the experiences of students dedicated to making a difference.

Service Club Co-President, Ryann Petersen, says “volunteering boosts my mood and provides me with a sense of accomplishment. I have met so many great people through service and it has expanded my outlook on the world.” Her favorite event to volunteer at is the Happy Joe’s Special Needs Pizza Party. She has gone every year and loves getting to dress up as a minion or Happy the Dog and make people smile. 

Another Co-President, Mallory Deutmeyer, shared this adoration for the Happy Joe’s Pizza Party as well. Shey says, “I love seeing the joy on their faces throughout the day; it’s one of my favorite things.” She is also a liaison for the Lion’s Club and Kiwanis Club through Service Club. Mallory says her favorite part of volunteering “is being able to help people—it is one of the things I am most passionate about and something I want to continue to do in the future. I do it for others, not for myself. After volunteering at a multitude of events, the part I find most fulfilling is being able to talk to the people there, whether it's the parents, other volunteers, or the people that put on the event. I've spent hours just talking to people, and seeing them happy makes me happy. Seeing how my work influences others is the most important thing for me, and it really puts things into perspective. It is something I think everyone should experience.” 

Senior Lauren Pawloski also says volunteer work has been a beneficial part of her life. She says, “I think the world would be such a better and happier place if more people volunteered. Volunteering is a mutually beneficial activity where both yourself and the recipients leave for the better; it is one of the most satisfying things in the world.” Lauren is president of Student Government, involved in Lancer Productions, Speech, and other organizations that have made it possible for her to do so much service work throughout high school. 

Emma Zrostlik is another Service Club member and is also a part of the Lancer Productions board. She says, “serving our community has grown by compassion and gratitude by allowing me to see the impacts of small acts and kindness towards others!” She is also a liaison for the Eldridge Lions Club and Kiwanis, in this role the liaisons attend meetings multiple times a month and update them on what the high school’s Service Club is up to. Emma’s favorite event was also the Happy Joe’s Pizza Party. 

All of these students exemplify what it means to be active in serving our community. They have volunteered their time and seen what it means to help others. They truly show how volunteering can benefit you. 

How to Get Involved in the Community

Now that you can see how great volunteering can be, how do you get involved? There are community service opportunities for everyone. You can volunteer here at the high school, serve from the comfort of your own home, or find a friend to do service work with all throughout the community. There are different possibilities for each individual's level of commitment; it's all about finding what projects fit you the best. 

sarah.grimesey@north-scott.k12.ia.us

Here at North Scott, there are many ways to volunteer. Service Club has many service opportunities open to anyone in the high school; you can talk to Ms. Grimesey or a student in the club to stay updated with all the great things they are doing, and you can even join their email list to see their calendar of events. If you aren’t interested in being a part of the club, you can still help out with their events—don’t let the idea of attending meetings and planning stuff prevent you from taking part. This year, the club is bringing back North Scott’s Dance Marathon, and they will need plenty of volunteers and participants for a successful event—so be on the lookout for that!

Other clubs at the school also have ways to get involved so make sure you keep an eye out for posters around the school; they are easily ignored but they are there for a reason—not just to kill trees. North Scott also hosts a plethora of blood drives throughout the school year where you can give blood or volunteer to help run. The next one will be at Alan Shepard on March 13 in memory of Zoey Carney.

Lancer Productions is also a service-heavy organization here at the high school. On March 14th, they will be hosting the Individual State Speech Competition, which takes many hands to make happen. You don’t have to be involved with theater to take advantage of these opportunities, and it can be very enjoyable if you go in with the right mindset. You can watch kids from around the state perform and have an active role in making this event go smoothly. LP also hosts a children’s theatre workshop and summer camp each year so if theater is something you are interested in, it is the perfect place to get involved while using your time to help teach kids. You can also usher for the shows: greeting guests as they walk in and helping them get to their seats.

Aside from at the high school level, community service possibilities are endless. You can volunteer at one of our local animal shelters, which is a great way to put a love for animals to good use—but keep in mind that at most places you will need an adult with you if you are under 18. You can help serve meals to the homeless at Cafe on Vine, pack your own homeless lunches to hand out on the streets, or contact McAnthony’s Window to bring meals there. Keeping on the food path, collecting food pantry donations or helping out at the Northpark Mall food pantry are also great options. 

Humble Dwellings is another local non-profit organization that improves people's living spaces with gently used furniture and household items. You can help move furniture and other items, assess client needs, and more. It is the perfect place to get a group of friends together and spend the day moving furniture and bonding over helping others. You can also hold your own furniture drives or donate your own unneeded items to the organization. 

If you want to spend less time actually at an event but still work on a big project, collecting items to help others is a great option. Aside from furniture, you can host a clothing drive, toy drive, hygiene product drive, etc. Get people from your community to donate items and advertise your drive in the area. This is a great way to partner with a non-profit and provide them with more resources.  

When it comes to community service, a great place to start is surveying your own talents. Are you a talented singer or instrumentalist? Think about visiting retirement and nursing homes and performing for the residents. Grand Haven is a beloved part of our community and the people living there love to see visitors, especially young people. Can you crochet, knit, or sew? Make blankets for homeless shelters or hospitals. There are unlimited resources online that showcase how to use your skills to help others; you can even look into specific charities that collect these handmade items and distribute them to groups in need. If you like to bake or cook, make something for first responders in the area to give back. 

The list could go on and on. It could be as simple as picking up trash you see outside or as elaborate as designing a community mural. The internet has endless ideas so if nothing has interested you so far it's just about finding the right one.

Make a Difference—Starting Today

Volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s about growing as a person, forming new connections, and finding purpose in something bigger than yourself. Whether you’re looking to improve your mental health, meet new people, or simply make a difference, there’s a service project that fits your interests. From school clubs to local nonprofits, small acts of kindness to large-scale projects, every effort counts. The impact of community service is undeniable, both for those receiving help and for those giving it. So why not start today? Find a cause that inspires you, take that first step, and see just how rewarding it can be to serve the community. In the end, volunteering doesn’t just help better the world—it changes you.