Volunteer and be healthier and happier!

Each year around six million Aussies spend time volunteering.¹ We see volunteers all around us –prepping food for people experiencing homelessness or financial stress, coaching at the local football club, getting involved in school working bees, or helping out at an animal sanctuary.

And, while the link between substance use and volunteering may not be obvious, we know getting involved in your community is a great way to prevent or reduce harmful alcohol and other drug use.^{2, 3}

Alcohol, drugs and volunteering – what’s the link?

There are many influences, known as protective factors, which can prevent or reduce the possibility of harmful alcohol or other drug use. These include positive family relationships, education and getting involved in sport.²

So, why is volunteering a protective factor?

Volunteering increases a person’s connection to their community, with studies showing that up to 42% of volunteers are more likely to describe themselves as ‘very happy’ than non-volunteers.⁴

Not only are volunteers happier, they’re also healthier!⁵ According to the United Nations Volunteers Programme, 76% of people who volunteered in the last 12 months believed they were healthier as a result.⁶

And, people with healthier lifestyles and positive mental health are less likely to use substances.^{2, 7, 8, 9}

Why else should we volunteer?

When you volunteer, not only do you help others in the community, but there are also a lot of extra benefits such as:

• a sense of purpose
• making new friends
• gaining work experience
• professional networking
• developing new skills. ^{10, 11, 12}

There’s considerable evidence that developing new life skills is a protective factor against substance use. Developing skills gives us confidence, encourages healthier lifestyles and provides people with positive stress management strategies. ^{13, 14}

A foot in the door

For those of us wanting to try out different jobs, or who want to get a foot in the door, volunteering can also increase the likelihood of employment.¹⁵

We also know that being employed and your socioeconomic status can affect individual health outcomes, including reducing drug and alcohol-related harm. ^{16, 17}

Volunteering and young people

For young people, volunteering is a great activity to distract from risk taking and harmful behaviours, such as alcohol use. When people are involved in youth groups or sports clubs, they’re less likely to engage in substance use, particularly frequent or heavy alcohol consumption.^{18, 20}

In Australia, state and federal governments fund many community-based projects to divert young people from substance use.19 This includes The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Local Drug Action Team program and the Good Sports program.

Let’s celebrate our volunteers in 2021

National Volunteer Week is an annual celebration to say thank you to the enormous contribution of Australia’s volunteers.

From 17–23 May 2021, events are held across the country.

This year’s theme is Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine.

So, together let’s:

• recognise, celebrate and thank volunteers for the vital role they play in our lives
• reconnect to what is important by giving our time to help others and ourselves
• reimagine how we better support volunteers and communities they help.

To find volunteering opportunities in your local community, visit Go Volunteer.

For information on volunteering in community alcohol and drug prevention, contact your Local Drug Action Team.