Page 6 - Staying Well and Feeling Good - Q3 2022

Volunteer for Better Mental Health, Virtually
If you think the pandemic means that you can’t safely volunteer, think again! There are many ways to donate your time and talents virtually to organizations
you care about. You can even boost your own mental health and that of others at the same time.
Just ask Courtney McDade, director of Public Affairs Programs at Independence Blue Cross (Independence). Since the pandemic began, Independence’s Blue Crew volunteer corps has not let up — it simply pivoted. Blue Crew volunteers have remained steadfast in supporting the community through remote and virtual volunteerism.
In 2021, nearly 900 Blue Crew volunteers donated over 2,500 hours through more than 100 virtual volunteer projects. During the past year, Independence associates completed these and many more projects:
• Packed hygiene kits for students returning to school
• Created education access kits for children
• Sewed stuffed animals for dog rescues
• Wrote cards to veterans and seniors
These efforts reflect Independence’s commitment to continue its volunteer efforts with community-driven and diverse organizations whose mission is to address health, community, and food inequities.
“At a time when people are busier than ever, there continues to be incredible engagement from our associate volunteers,” McDade says. “Many leaders of our business divisions are working with us to organize virtual volunteer projects for their teams and others are participating in our virtual volunteer events throughout the year.”
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IBX Insights Team
She adds, “We have even had dozens of associates volunteer for the first time thanks to the accessibility of virtual volunteering.
I think virtual volunteering will become a permanent part of our program in 2022.”
The Benefits of Volunteering
Whether through work, with family, or individually, studies have shown that volunteering has a direct benefit on mental health.
Celebrating 20 years of the Blue Crew’s service to the community this year, Independence conducted a survey of local volunteers in March 2021. The 551 respondents reported a positive emotional connection to volunteer work, explaining that it drives feelings of connectedness, happiness, pride, inspiration, energy, optimism, and feeling informed.
Results showed that of the volunteers:
• 74% feel like they have a sense of purpose
• 67% feel closer to their community
• 49% believe they can understand their community better
• 47% believe it increases their empathy • 46% says it improves their mood
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