Volunteering in the care of people with severe mental illness: a systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundMuch of the literature to date concerning public attitudes towards people with severe mental illness (SMI) has focused on negative stereotypes and discriminatory behaviour. However, there also exists a tradition of volunteering with these people, implying a more positive attitude. Groups with positive attitudes and behaviours towards people with SMI have received relatively little attention in research. They merit further attention, as evidence on characteristics and experiences of volunteers may help to promote volunteering. The present paper aims to systematically review the literature reporting characteristics, motivations, experiences, and benefits of volunteers in the care of people with SMI.MethodsIn November 2010, a systematic electronic search was carried out in BNI, CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Cochrane Registers and Web of Science databases, using a combination of ‘volunteer’, ‘mental health’ and ‘outcome’ search terms. A secondary hand search was performed in relevant psychiatric journals, grey literature and references.Results14 papers met the inclusion criteria for the review, with data on a total of 540 volunteers. The results suggest that volunteers are a mostly female, but otherwise heterogeneous group. Motivations for volunteering are a combination of what they can ‘give’ to others and what they can ‘get’ for themselves. Overall volunteers report positive experiences. The main benefit to persons with a psychiatric illness is the gaining of a companion, who is non-stigmatizing and proactive in increasing their social-community involvement.ConclusionsThe evidence base for volunteers in care of people with SMI is small and inconsistent. However there are potential implications for both current and future volunteering programmes from the data. As the data suggests that there is no ‘typical’ volunteer, volunteering programmes should recruit individuals from a variety of backgrounds. The act of volunteering can not only benefit people with SMI, but also the volunteers. Further research may specify methods of recruiting, training, supervising and using volunteers to maximise the benefit for all involved.

Characteristics and motivations of volunteers providing one-to-one support for people with mental illness: a survey in Austria

“…This consistency may indicate some generalisability of the present findings, given that the data collected previously comprised British, German, American and Swedish samples [18]. …”

Combining volunteers and primary care teamwork to support health goals and needs of older adults: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

“…Each component is supported by evidence of effectiveness. 8,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] However, we are unaware of any initiative that evaluates the integration of program components. As support from health care volunteers is therapeutic to patients, 21 Health TAPESTRY broadened the concept of the health care team to include volunteers who link to primary care in ways comparable to community or lay health worker activities.…”

Benefits to University Students Through Volunteering in a Health Context: A New Model

“…The model assumes that in exchange for the volunteer's time, volunteers receive training and acquire skills which in turn enhance their human capital (ibid). Supporting this view, a more recent systematic review reported motives to volunteer were a combination of what volunteers could give to others, and what they can get for themselves (Hallett, et al, 2012). Indeed, the notion that the motives of student volunteers are a mix of altruistic and egoistical drivers (Brooks, 2002;Hustinx, 2001;Rehberg, 2005) has received support from both international (Smith et al, 2010) as well as cross-cultural comparison studies (Handy et al, 2010).…”