Here are some common questions and answers about volunteering at MHAOhio:
Q. Will I be able to spend time with people in need of mental health services as a general volunteer there?
A. Only if you are a mental health professional and sign up for our Pro Bono Counseling Program, or if you meet the rigorous standards to be a support group facilitator.
Q. Mental health really matters to me. Are there other ways I can help you raise awareness about mental illness and fight stigma?
A. Yes! If you use social media, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and interact with our posts. Tell your friends and family about our organization and encourage them to visit our website to learn more about our services—so that they can tell their friends and family! Make a donation—any amount helps! Attend our annual fundraisers and community events.
Q. Can you help me with my school requirement for “service hours?”
A. Maybe. Call us at (614) 221-1441 to talk more about that.
Q. Can I volunteer right away and/or for several hours at a time?
A. Most commonly, our needs are intermittent and involve various time commitments. Our ability to meet your request depends on how close we are to the next fundraiser or bulk mailing, for example.
Q. Can you tell me about other opportunities in the mental health field?
A. Yes! First of all, you can always conduct a search of volunteer opportunities of all kinds around Central Ohio through the HandsOn Central Ohio website here. Here are a few other options to make a difference in someone’s mental health:
Mentoring (must be 18 or over):
- Starfish Alliance’s Results-Oriented Mentoring™ for teens who have experienced foster care. Visit their website here.
- Mentor-a-Patient program at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare Hospital. Email Maureen Fahy at maureen.fahy@mha.ohio.gov.
If you are under 18, click on the following to learn more about each option:
- Youth to Youth Central Ohio
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital Teen Volunteers
- Riverside Methodist Hospital Teen Volunteers
If you still have questions, please call us at (614) 221-1441 or email info@mhaohio.org.
