Activism and Volunteering in the Mental Health Community

Often, when asked about various project proposals being discussed, they usually say that they are great ideas, but the is not enough money or manpower to get them under way. However, there is a largely untapped resource for such work, that being the mental health consumers themselves.

Consumers who volunteer are able to give something back to community that supports them, and also gain valuable training and work experience. A meaningful and fulfilling activity to fill their free time can help them a long way to their recovery.

As workers, consumers have special needs that may differ from individual to individual and between different kinds of mental illness. One such need is something I call ‘variable capacity’. The mental and emotional state of many consumers can change suddenly. They may be doing a great job, but then suffer a setback that could leave them unable to work for a while. Later, they may be able to return to their work again, to pick up where they left off. Mental health is a day-to-day proposition for many people, so most consumer volunteers need flexible hours and a bit of patience. It is important that there is a group of volunteers that can be drawn upon to fill those jobs until the consumer is ready to return to work.

These are needs that are very difficult to address in a paying job, which is why volunteering is so important.

Activism is another important activity for consumers to undertake. By activism I mean any group or individual activity that draws attention to social injustice and educates the public about the facts of mental illness. Activities such as raising awareness and advocacy can be part of that definition, and it is vital that consumers themselves take on this challenge. Such work can help change government policies, business hiring practices and the delivery of mental health services.

Consumers must have the courage to speak frankly with the public about mental illness and how it has affected their lives, and break out of the social isolation the illness creates.

The Internet is powerful tool for social change as well. It is an ideal medium for a mental health activist to create change without necessarily announcing their name and their illness to a public that may not understand.

Much of this work has already begun, and as more people get involved it will gain momentum. The more people take part in these activities, the better life in the community will become.