Express Your Love With Civic Action This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is the holiday of love. Whether you’re a parent helping your children make cards and cupcakes for their classmates or you’re sending your sweetheart flowers and chocolates, you can express your love and light through civic engagement.
demonstrates that civic engagement comes in a variety of forms, from volunteering, to using your voice, to voting and more. This Valentine’s Day, here are three ways you can express your love for the people, the community and the causes you care about.
Donate in Honor of Someone Special
Honor a changemaker whose love for their community shines through their volunteering. Brighten their inbox with a special Points of Light ecard to let them know you’ve made a donation in their honor.
Cards and candy make wonderful gifts but for something truly unique, consider making a donation in honor of someone you love. Consider a cause you care about, and research the organizations that are working to impact it. Many nonprofits allow you to designate another person’s name on your donation. Some even issue certificates or e-cards that you can gift to the person as a memento.
about how donations impact the nonprofit sector, and ensure you’re contributing responsibly so that you support the cause.
Harness Your Purchase Power for Good
While you’re shopping for your loved ones, buy from local artisans or shop owners instead of supporting large chains. If you’re buying from a national or international brand, look into their corporate social responsibility efforts to see what they’re doing to support the causes that speak to you.
about advancing the causes you support, and create a personal action plan for using your voice.
Speaking up for every human’s right to love and be loved can be highly impactful. There are so many ways to support the LGBTQIA movement by using your voice, from starting a conversation with your family members at the dinner table to peacefully protesting at rallies to signing petitions advocating for legislative change. Your voice can be a powerful tool to help you serve as an ally and spur the change you wish to see.
that help you demonstrate your love for people, animals and the earth. To learn more about how you can express love and make an impact through volunteering,
However you express your love this Valentine’s Day, taking intentional action allows you to shine your light on the world’s biggest challenges and make our world a more loving place.
How To Support Natural Disaster Relief Efforts
As natural disasters increase in frequency, we all express our deepest concern and compassion to all those affected, but sometimes that doesn’t feel like enough. Many of our Global Network affiliates and partners have mobilized to provide critical disaster relief services in many disasters, from emergency housing assistance to food and supply distribution.
Individuals throughout the nation and across the globe are searching for ways they can help support these relief efforts. Below we’ve included some tips for how you can maximize your contributions, provide help where it’s needed and keep from hindering the necessary emergency services in motion right now.
offers a holistic framework to help businesses, nonprofits and individuals to understand, identify and engage in the full scope of civic life. There is perhaps no better time to see the breadth of these various vehicles of engagement than during a crisis. Below are three ways you can make an impact and support relief efforts, as recommended by Points of Light and our Global Network disaster committee.
Want to donate? Donate cash. During a disaster, many people think the best way to help is to donate food, clothing or goods to those affected. But money is actually the most needed commodity in times of crisis, because it allows experienced responders the flexibility to obtain the exact resources needed. Numerous local and national organizations are assisting in the rescue and recovery efforts. Do your research thoroughly, as scams can unfortunately arise during natural disasters. Many nonprofit organizations make Amazon wish lists for donors during a natural disaster. This tool allows you to fill in a specific and immediate need for a disaster-affected community. To check if these are legitimate organizations, you can look them up on Charity Navigator to make sure donations and other efforts are going to those in need. Also, check with your employer and ask if they are able to match funds donated by employees. Corporations and organizations have immense potential to make an impact after a natural disaster. Many companies have existing donation-matching programs already in place, and others are happy to set up such a program for specific circumstances. Some of Points of Light’s recommended partners include HandsOn New Orleans, United Way of Acadiana, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, HandsOn River Region, American Red Cross, Good360, World Central Kitchenand Team Rubicon. Read more about impactful donations in the Donate issue of Civic Life Today.
Volunteer with an agency — not on your own.Volunteering locally during a crisis is an excellent way to provide boots-on-the-ground support. But don’t go it alone! Self-deploying in a disaster area is incredibly dangerous and you can inadvertently undermine the efforts of expert responders. Instead, support relief efforts by finding a Points of Light Global Network affiliate in your area, and wait until they ask for volunteer support. Many times, the most needed relief services with these organizations can happen remotely from your home.
Practice patience. Remember that recovery is a long (often multi-year) process. So if you feel like there’s little you can do right now, be patient. There will be volunteer and cash needs for many months, often years, after the disaster – especially when the community enters the long-term recovery period. Organizations that specialize in disaster relief tend to lose donations and volunteer support as time passes, so they’ll be glad to have as many people as possible stick around for the long haul. Stay informed by listening and learning to find out what the community needs and meet them where they are. And in the meantime, share on social media to use your voice to raise awareness about the disaster relief and long-term recovery needs.
For anyone impacted directly or indirectly by a natural disaster, the national Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) offers 24/7 crisis & emotional support to anyone in the U.S. impacted by natural or human-caused disasters/traumatic events. Callers to the DDH 1-800-985-5990 can connect with counselors in 100+ languages via 3rd party interpretation services.
Follow us on social media @PointsofLight for updates from Points of Light and our Global Network affiliates.
3 Ways to Support Relief Efforts in Haiti and Afghanistan
Points of Light and our Global Network stand in compassionate solidarity with those impacted by the events in Haiti and Afghanistan. We value that acting globally means acting locally and have already seen our affiliates respond to pressing needs, from providing refugee housing assistance to organizing donation drives in their local communities and more.
In the immediate aftermath of any natural disaster or upheaval, we know that you may want to step up to help. Below are three ways you can make an impact and support relief efforts,
as recommended by Points of Light and our Global Network disaster committee.
Cash is best. Research and donate to a reputable international relief organization. Cash gives agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources, and a donation helps to put experienced responders on the ground, giving them the tools they need to help people recover. It’s also important to avoid charity scams, and background research can help make sure that your donation goes to a legitimate organization.
Register to volunteer with a responding agency. Do not self-deploy and don’t underestimate the complexity of working in a disaster area. Until a need has been identified and the community impacted has requested support, volunteers should not enter. There may also be opportunities to support disaster relief efforts from home or in your local community. Find a Points of Light Global Network affiliate in your area to learn how local organizations are responding to the events in Haiti and Afghanistan.
Be patient. Recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention around international events. There will be volunteer and cash needs for many months, often years, after the disaster – especially when the community enters the long-term recovery period. Continue to monitor relief efforts and the organizations responding to the events so you’ll be ready to take action and connect to an opportunity when the need arises.
Follow us on social media @PointsofLight for updates from Points of Light and our Global Network affiliates.
Honor & Remember: Ways to Participate in 9/11 National Day of Service
9/11 National Day of Service is an opportunity to turn tragedy into a day of remembrance and service. As we approach the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001, this is an opportunity to pay tribute to the lives of those lost and injured, as well as create a new moment of meaning on this day.
Here are a few ways that you can participate in this day of remembrance and help make the world a better, kinder place.
Teach youth about the significance of this day with 9/11 Day lesson plans
Currently, young people were not even born when 9/11 happened, and many under 25 years old were too young to remember the experience. Fortunately, the
to be used for both virtual and in-person learning. If you’re a teacher, utilize the website for some helpful tools to share the importance of this day with your students.
Take action with DIY toolkits for first responders
On this historic day in 2001, first responders bravely provided emergency services to thousands across the Northeast United States and throughout the nation. These essential workers helped ensure that critical needs were met, often working constant overtime to show up and help. Now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, essential workers are still providing services to communities everywhere. Why not recognize their efforts through a
has a variety of toolkits tailored to these specific needs. Find ways to inspire your employees to take part in virtual volunteering, download logos for your marketing materials and more.
Join the 9/11 Day in Packing 2.5 Million Meals
On Sept. 11, 9/11 Day is organizing meal packing events in the following cities:
offers idea sharing around creative, impactful and inspiring ways for people to engage in their communities, so search for an organization near you to find out more. And stop by our
to identify in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities near you.
Points of Light Engage Makes It Easy to Share Volunteer Opportunities: New Registration Features for Nonprofits, Schools, Government Agencies and More
According to Points of Light’s civic engagement research, one of the top barriers for people to get involved in their communities is not knowing where to go to find opportunities or not being able to find something near them that fits their interest.
To help solve that problem, Points of Light Engage, the world’s largest digital hub for volunteering and community engagement, was launched in January to allow nonprofits to post volunteer opportunities and make it easy for individuals to find ways to volunteer that are interesting, relevant and local to them.
New Upgrades for More Opportunities
We’re excited to expand our registration process beyond nonprofits to also include public and private schools, government agencies and more specialized nonprofit organizations like faith groups and school PTAs, so that more organizations will be able to connect with more individuals who want to make a difference.
Additionally, we know that many organizations deliver their services and need volunteers in multiple locations. For example, a metro-area YMCA may have an administrative address of record downtown, but dozens of branches across the city with distinct, local volunteer needs; a Salvation Army may have multiple thrift store operations, soup kitchens and donation centers; and a local Friends of Our City Parks nonprofit may organize volunteer projects at sites around the community.
Our new registration process allows nonprofit users to organize those multiple locations under the umbrella of their nonprofit, whether they are as large as the American Red Cross or a neighborhood Community Development Corporation with multiple service sites in the community. Users can then create and manage their volunteer opportunities under each of those locations, making it easier to connect with the individuals who want to get involved with a cause they care about.
These new features take us one step closer towards our more comprehensive vision of meeting volunteers where they are most commonly starting, a Google search of “volunteering near me,” and helps even the smallest organization showcase their opportunities to the motivated volunteers in their community.
. They are innovative volunteer-mobilizing organizations located in more than 200 cities and 37 countries around the world. Together, we promote strategies that inspire a passion for community mindedness, enable community action and deepen a culture of community service.
At Points of Light,
w
e believe that every action
, no matter the size,
is significant
. Over the course of 2020,
Points of Light and our
Global
Network
helped
individuals and organizations
finding new ways to work together and support each other
while apart.
As you reflect on the importance of volunteering, here are a few ways you can get involved today and all year-round:
Search our database Points of Light Engage for safe volunteer opportunities inside and outside of the home that fit your interest, location and comfort level.
Get inspired by watching TheGeorge H.W. Points of Light Award honorees’ videos and other content on our YouTube channel.
Help us continue making an impact by supporting the critical work of Points of Light and our Global Network withyour donation.
Our organization
was founded to encourage and empower the spirit of service.
We remain committed to
connecting individuals, nonprofits and corporations
to develop sustained civic engagement and
support
transformative change
across the globe.
Civic Engagement: What We Know, What We’re Learning, and What Comes Next
A few months ago, I was invited to listen to an online conversation between two professionals entitled “What I’m Learning.” The panelists were captivating, but it was the title of the discussion that caught my attention. During this global pandemic and time-out of our regular routines, we are all learning more about ourselves, each other, and the world around us.
Perhaps the quote by American poet Maya Angelou, “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better,” perfectly captures the essence of learning, reflection, and action.
At Points of Light, we believe the most powerful force of change in our world is the individual. One who is informed, inspired, and equipped to take action.
So when Points of Light and our partners
conducted a study this spring, with generous support from AT&T, aimed at understanding Americans’ attitudes, behaviors, barriers and motivations around civic engagement, I was delighted and encouraged by the data.
looks at the current state of civic engagement, reveals a universal desire to do more, and sheds light on how we can convert good intentions into positive action. Here’s a glimpse of what we found:
Civic Life Will Become More Important Than Ever
We surveyed more than 1400 adults of every generation from the silent generation to Gen Z. We heard that after the pandemic passes, 95% of respondents said they will maintain their current level of involvement or do more to get involved and make a difference. More than three-quarters (78%) cited voting as an important action they intend to take; 75% said they would donate to nonprofits; 73% said they’d volunteer; and 60% said they intended to contact government leaders or advocacy groups.
Further, 82% of respondents said they believe we must all get involved to rebuild our communities and country, with 66% saying that the coronavirus will have a long-lasting, positive impact on our collective consideration for others and our willingness to get involved in making a difference.
My favorite part: Half of all Gen Z respondents (loosely defined as those born in the late 1990s and afterward) said they will do more to get involved after the pandemic than they did before; and this cohort already reported the highest levels of civic engagement across any other age group.
Gen Z Isn’t Going to Accept What We’re Handing Them
Speaking of Gen Z, this is a generation that simply isn’t going to accept the world as it is today. As is evident from the research, they are an active, action-oriented group. Nearly 40% of Gen Z respondents reported participating in five or more civic engagement activities in the last year – and this was in May – before the killing of George Floyd and the demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism in this country.
What this shows us is that the open questions that we’ve let linger as a society – on race, social justice, the environment, and mental health – are questions that they will not allow to persist any longer. This generation sees societal change as a team sport, and they’re participating in greater numbers and with greater frequency than any other demographic.
They also expect action from the companies with which they do business. While 41% of all adults say they have made purchase decisions based on a company’s social responsibility, nearly 60% of Gen Z respondents have, and they know that the enormous purchase power they yield (
) is an asset that they can use to affect change.
The generation coming of age right now is not a “wait and see” generation; they’re a “let’s get it done” one. They don’t wait for hierarchies; they start where they are with what they have. They’ve witnessed a reckoning in their country – and they’re proving they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Community Is Queen
Our research also revealed that more than half (55%) of people say they want to focus on issues impacting their communities. People crave local opportunities that let them interact with those who are benefitting – safely, of course, given the pandemic. This aligns with the recent
study, which reported that 64% of respondents believe that the pandemic “will lead to changes for the better in how we live, work and treat each other as people.”
Let’s hope so.
In the last year, 28% of respondents reported volunteering, yet an additional 32% said that while they had not volunteered in the last year, they were interested in doing so. That’s 60% of all respondents interested in getting involved in their communities in some fashion.
Imagine if it actually happens.
All of these indicators provide clarity that civic engagement is becoming more important than ever, Gen Z is changing the game, and there is a hyper-local focus on service. It shows us that people are more aware that the actions they take have enormous power to affect change.
It seems that even now, Maya Angelou’s words above can apply to all of us and our engagement in civic life. Each of us has power and light within us – let’s use it for good.
Natalye Paquin was the president and chief executive officer of Points of Light from 2017–2022.
She is a visionary and results-oriented leader, with more than 20 years of experience providing strategic, operations and fiscal leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors.
20 Easy Ways to Make a Difference in 2020
New Year’s resolutions offer us a chance to take inventory and identify the areas of our life where we want to make a change. Resolutions tend to be personal: getting healthy, maintaining or building relationships, handling our finances, etc. But there is one resolution that can help in all areas of life: getting involved in your community!
Volunteering and giving back have a positive effect on your mental and physical health, help you build connections and strengthen your community. If you’re looking for ways to make a difference this year, here are some easy ways you can start.
If You’ve Got More Free Time
If you’re someone who likes to spend their weekends doing hands-on work, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities for you! Whether you enjoy physical activity, organizing books, or hanging out with animals, you can find a volunteer project that fits your skills.
1. Put A Warm Meal On Someone’s Table
Nearly 9 million seniors in America face the threat of hunger, and many live alone facing feelings of loneliness and isolation. By volunteering with
are being created with social impact in mind – with missions that tackle local and global issues such as alleviating hunger, improving access to quality education, building financial literacy and economic equality, and combatting climate change.
3. Make The Lorax Proud
Pitch in to help preserve America’s natural and cultural resources by volunteering at a state or national park! If you’re a history buff or a naturalist, or just love being in the great outdoors, you can explore opportunities to work at fascinating historical sites and public lands maintained by the
also let you raise money for your favorite charity, giving back with every mile you run or walk.
5. Give Some Love to Animals in Need
Shelter animals need your support to feel loved while they wait for a forever home. You can volunteer with your animal shelter to play, walk, and bathe animals so they’re ready to be take in by a loving family!
6. Put Your Dewey Decimal Knowledge to The Test
Libraries typically need help organizing shelves and assisting patrons, and you may also be of help setting up and running public events, such as author signings and book fairs. Have some marketing skills? Ask your local library if you can help design flyers or copy edit ads, and put that experience on your resume!
7. Put Me In, Coach
After-school or summertime sport camps offer kids to the opportunity to have a lot of fun while learning important life skills. If you have a passion for a particular sport, become a coach to help kids nurture their skills and build confidence. Check your local government’s parks and recreation website to learn more about getting involved with youth sports leagues.
, an organization that connects public high school students with professionals in fields they are interested in. Your mentorship could help an at-risk student stay in school and eventually graduate.
allows nonprofits to post openings for board positions, often based on areas of expertise like marketing, real estate development and more, so you can share your specific gift with those who need it.
If You Need A Little More Flexibility
Not everyone has a ton of free time to spare and that’s OK! There are plenty of ways to get involved if you’re busy with other things in your life – or even if you’re the couch and the couch is you.
10. Get the Vote Out
Voting in local and national elections is a great way to make sure you have a say in the laws and policies that affect your community – but there are some people who may need a little help. Whether you’re helping someone figure out how to register or you’re driving people to the polling station, helping others exercise their voting rights is an easy, quick way to ensure everyone’s voice can be heard.
11. But First, a Selfie
This year, save a little space in your social media to advocate for your favorite nonprofit or cause! If they’re having a fundraiser or need volunteers, you can do your part to get the word out. From Facebook fundraisers to online organizing, social networks can be a powerful tool in shining a light on the issues that matter most. If you volunteer, be sure to talk about it on social media. It’s a great way to get the word out about what you’re passionate about!
12. Financial Donation
When you review your budget for the upcoming year, keep in mind things that you are particularly passionate about – what organization or cause sets fire to your heart? Consider setting up a small monthly donation to support that cause over the course of a year.
13. Or Another Kind of Donation
Donation’s don’t have to be strictly financial. You can donate clothes, books, canned goods, and even your hair to various organizations. Contact your local nonprofits, food banks, and blood donor and see what they need.
14. Give an Animal a Home
Shelters are frequently overpopulated with homeless cats and dogs. Don’t have the ability to adopt? Consider fostering an animal from your local shelter, providing them temporary love and comfort until they find their forever home.
15. Collect and Give Box Tops
Box Tops can be found on hundreds of products inside grocery stores. Take the time to look at your groceries for any Box Tops, clip the ones you find and send them to your local school, where they will be collected and turned into cash to support the school.
16. Buy With Purpose
Create change through the places you shop – we call this purchase power! Take a moment to look into the places where you choose to spend your money; by supporting companies that promote and invest in the causes and ethical practices you share, you live your values and help make a difference in the world.
Encourage Others to Get Involved
You don’t have to be the most extroverted person in the room to encourage people to volunteer! Whether it’s friends, families or coworkers, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer together as groups. Teamwork makes the dream work!
17. If You Run A Business
Get your company to partner with a nonprofit or community organization! Studies show millennials are more focused on companies that provide opportunities to give back to the community. Work with your HR team or CSR division to select an organization that relates in some way to the mission and values of your company.
18. If You’re an Employee
Get your office involved in the green movement! Set up a recycling bin in different rooms, use coffee mugs instead of Styrofoam cups, or start your very own compost initiative. Come together with your coworkers to think of little things that can help conserve energy and make the office a little greener.
19. Volunteer With Your Family
Kids and teens have an exceptional view on the world, and often offer some of the most creative solutions. Engaging them in volunteer work is a great way to solve community problems in a unique way – while helping to foster important social and emotional competencies, like empathy and compassion, and develop key 21st-century skills like critical thinking and collaboration. generationOn, our youth and family division, provides DIY project ideas and toolkits to help you get started planning a volunteer activity with the family!
20. Host a Family-Friendly Project
Does your organization host family-friendly volunteer projects? Points of Light and Disney Parks celebrate family volunteerism by rewarding nonprofits and schools in the United States with Disney 1-Day Park Hopper tickets for engaging families in volunteer activities! Learn more about the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program.
“No matter your schedule or time constraints, there are plenty of ways to get involved in 2020. Find what brings out your passion to make the world a better place! Ready to get started? Find volunteer opportunities in your community.
BONUS: If you’re feeling especially bold and want to travel to Japan this summer, you can volunteer at the 2020 Summer Olympics!
19 Everyday Ways You Can Make a Difference in 2019
Why not add volunteering to your New Year’s resolution list? The beginning of a new year is a great opportunity to start volunteering, or to find new ways to make a difference in your community. Not only does volunteering connect you to the people closest to you and to others in your community, it can also improve personal health and happiness levels. Giving back can be as big or small a commitment as your time allows, but it’s always time worth spending. Here are everyday ways you can start making a difference this year:
Give What You Can
1. Run or Walk for a Good Cause
There are races, walks and fun runs for almost every cause imaginable. Visit Active for lists of charity walks near you, or Running in the USA for local races. Mobile apps like Charity Miles also let you raise money for your favorite charity, giving back with every mile you run or walk
2. Donate Your Hair
Help bring confidence and smiles to children who are suffering from hair loss, whether from alopecia, chemotherapy, or other conditions. Grow out your hair for a new look, then donate inches to Locks of Love.
3. Save Your Coins
Children do it, and so can adults! Having a jar to collect loose pocket change and coins can add up into an unexpected sum of money in time. After a few months, count your savings and donate it to your favorite charity.
4. Give Blood
A decision to donate your blood has the potential to save a life, or even several when your blood is separated for patients with specific conditions. Connect with your local blood bank or the American Red Cross to find out how to donate in your community.
5. Donate Electronics, Furniture and Household Items
Companies like eBay are making it easy to give back. By selling old or unwanted electronics and household items, the eBay for Charity program connects users with their favorite charities with the option to donate proceeds from any sale to a cause that matters most to you.
6. Find a New Home for Old Books
Want to clear your bookshelf to make room for new purchases, or declutter your home? You can give your books a new home while helping others by donating them to a local school, library, or literacy organization. Or, consider creating a Little Free Library in your neighborhood!
7. Make the Most of Spring Cleaning
Now is the perfect time to clean out your home and simplify. Any clothing or household items you no longer need can be donated to a local charity. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill and the Salvation Army even offer pick-up services for larger pieces of furniture.
Show Love to Your Neighbors
8. Cook or Bake for Others
Food is an easy way to everyone’s heart. Do you have a neighbor who needs some extra joy in their life? Try baking them some cookies, or bring them a home-cooked meal. Burn everything you try to cook? No problem, just pick up something from your local bakery.
9. Read to Children
Do you love to read? Ask local elementary schools, libraries or daycare centers if they are in need of volunteers to read to children. You can do what you love, promote literacy skills, and bring joy to kids in your community.
10. Tell a Soldier Thank You
We can’t say thank you enough to the men and women who serve our country, but we can try! Writing a thank you note to a soldier is an easy way to give back, such as Operation Gratitude, or consider sending books or care packages to military personnel stationed overseas
11. Collect and Give Box Tops
Box Tops can be found on hundreds of products inside grocery stores. Take the time to look at your groceries for any Box Tops, clip the ones you find and send them to your local school, where they will be collected and turned into cash to support the school.
12. Deliver a Meal
Nearly 9 million seniors in America face the threat of hunger, and many live alone facing feelings of loneliness and isolation. By volunteering with Meals on Wheels on your lunch break, you can help seniors in your neighborhood and bring them an extra source of joy.
13. Share a Smile
When you smile, you instantly uplift others! Plus, smiling can reduce stress and activate the smiles in the people around you. Trust us, the world wants to see you shine.
Improve Your Community
14. Embrace the Green Movement
Make a conscious effort to start recycling more, by placing an additional waste basket near existing trash can in your home or office. Don’t forget about batteries, paint and medication that may need to be disposed in a particular way. And, to conserve resources (and save some extra money!), try unplugging appliances you know you won’t use in the near future, and remember to turn off lights before leaving your home.
15. Use that Green Thumb
Community gardens have many benefits. Creating a garden in your town is a great way to reduce food insecurity, increase physical activity through garden maintenance activities, and increase fresh fruit and vegetable intake for your household.
16. Support Local Businesses
Finding ways to support local businesses is a great way to give back to your community and show the ones around you that you support them. When you shop small, purchases become more meaningful and you help encourage growth in your home community.
17. Become an Ethical Shopper
More than ever, large and small brands alike are taking stands on important issues of the day. Take the time to research stores and brands to find places to shop that align with your values and the causes you care about.
18. Foster an Animal
Animal shelters are frequently overpopulated with homeless cats and dogs. Don’t have the ability to adopt? Consider fostering an animal from your local shelter, providing them temporary love and comfort until they find their forever home.
19. Find volunteer opportunities in your community!
How Volunteers Can Support People Facing Depression and Anxiety
May is Mental Health Month, aimed at raising awareness of mental health and helping to fight stigmas – and providing support for the millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Depression and anxiety are among the most common mood disorders; more than
will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, these disorders are still stigmatized. Negative public perceptions of mood disorders can cause those affected to suffer from feelings of alienation and loneliness – often making recovery all the more difficult. In recent history, changemakers have played an important role in changing public perception of mental health disorders and establishing support systems for those who need help.
Clifford Beers, known as the founder of the modern day mental health movement, is one of many changemakers featured on the
, a one-mile walkway in Washington, D.C., that honors the actions and service of famous Americans who have transformed our nation and the world. Beers courageously shared his own experience with mental illness in his autobiography, “A Mind That Found Itself,” opening the nation’s eyes to the mistreatment of people with mental illness and leading to the creation of modern treatment methods for mental health disorders. His humility, courage and vision lead to the creation of the organization now known as
– revolutionizing and changing people’s attitudes and misconceptions regarding mental illness and its proper diagnoses and management.
Today, volunteers still play an important role in supporting those who live with mental health conditions and continuing to fight the stigmas associated with them. Volunteers like
, who engages nursing home residents with music and art, which have been proven to help with depression; or Sean Gobin, who created an outdoor therapy program to help fellow veterans suffering from PTSD.
Here are a few ways you can make a difference:
Support an organization that supports mental health
help patients suffering from mood disorders, and there is a wide array of opportunities to support these organizations. For people who have suffered or are currently suffering from depression or anxiety, you can
proven to help others find hope and support. The organization also operates a network of local crisis centers that rely on dedicated and trained volunteers. Locate
Sometimes, just being there for someone can make a world of difference. Because of the enduring stigmas associated with mental illness, many people do not feel comfortable talking to anyone about what they are going through.
