Mental Health Volunteer Work Wins in NY
January 11th, 2010
As people approach old age and settle into retirement, mental health studies have shown that the potential for thoughts and feelings of depression and other concerns can steeply rise. In tandem with this issue, there are scores of people struggling with established mental health issues who are unable to receive the care or assistance they need. A natural harmony between these issues can be seen in the volunteer work of those who participate in a New York outreach program entitled ACES. Though volunteers are not necessarily limited to retirees, the combination of meaningful work after the completion of a career and the fulfillment of struggling mental health clients creates a profound source of well-being.
© Copyright 2010 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Orlando Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
-
Find the Right Therapist
-
13 Comments | Click here to leave a comment.
Comments
I agree that it is extremely important to involve yourself in something meaningful.It will keep us content about ourselves and makes us feel important, something that many seniors feel a lack of. After all, an empty mind is the devil’s workshop and will bring in negative thoughts by default.
We need more Sheilas in the world. I see so many youngsters lazing about when they could be sparing time for good deeds like this.
The comment about paid social workers not looking you in the eye was uncalled for. Social workers have a very hard job. When they are looking at the computer, they aren’t ignoring you or being rude. They are reviewing your case files to bring themselves up to speed or remind themselves of what’s already transpired.
Hold on. If the social worker can’t familiarize themselves with the person’s case, how are they supposed to help? What makes a person more angry, answering a question they have been asked a million times by your co-workers or having you not look them in the eye? In my experience, it’s the first one.
A lot of youngsters are actually waking up to this fact and are doing community service in vacation and at other times too. Along with being satisfactory to their inner selves for having helped others, it also gives a good adddition in their resume. What more could one probably ask for…
Volunteers are the heart and soul of so many organizations- a great big shout out to all who so willingly give of their time to help others is greatly needed!
Most volunteers work honestly, to help other people. What is required is recognition for such things… you see, recognition and applause does prep up any person and will also encourage more and more people to actually volunteer to such work.
Don’t tar all youngsters with the same brush please, Katherine. Many kids volunteer and do what they can to give back in their community. My neighbor’s son helps out at our local senior center. The good kids don’t get the same recognition for their good deeds that the bad apples get in the press.
I’ve always thought that media bias goes in the wrong direction. If they highlighted how many good and positive actions occur every day we may all have a brighter view of life. How refreshing it would be to see them sensationalize the good stuff!
Isn’t that dog the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? She’s beautiful and must be smart too. That’s the first time I’ve heard of those special dogs.
This is a marvelous example of why seniors and what they can contribute to society post-retirement should never be underestimated. I’ll never know why the group gets almost written off in some people’s minds.
Seniors don’t leave their brain behind at their desk when they retire! Earning a paycheck one week and not the next doesn’t make you any less smart. Not utilizing their talents is what’s dumb.
I hope Sheila knows about the Disney program, Give A Day Get a Day, that rewards volunteers.
Leave a Reply
By commenting on this blog you acknowledge acceptance of this Blog's Terms and Conditions of Use.