Volunteering

Mental Health Ireland recognises and respects the valued contribution of volunteers and their work on behalf of people who experience mental illness and their efforts in promoting positive mental health. The effectiveness of MHI is entirely dependent on the activities of volunteers throughout the country.

The volunteer component of our human resource is going to continue to be the major means of delivering programmes as the long-standing core activities of volunteers, such as befriending, are recognised as increasingly relevant and important with the development of service delivery to persons in the community.

Current volunteer activity varies between regions of the country and includes work in the area of social housing, befriending, mental health promotion and fundraising. Volunteering is done on a part-time, ad hoc basis as needed and depends on the local Association's interests and priorities. For example, befriending may consist of helping out at a weekly social club or going on an occasional outing with clients.

An illustration of some of the work being undertaken by local Mental Health Associations is presented in our newsletter Mensana News. Please note that Mental Health Ireland and the local Associations do not engage in counselling, social work or support group activity.

Current volunteering opportunities in the Dublin/Wicklow area include helping out at social clubs in Dalkey and Bray. These provide a social outlet for people with mental health difficulties where they can come together for a chat, to play board games and organise outings. At a national level, Mental Health Ireland is always looking for adjudicators for the National Public Speaking Project, a Project aimed at secondary school students.

Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you wish to volunteer and we will get back to you shortly.