The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Mahatma Gandhi
Anjali is a graduate student decided to volunteer at a local government school. At first, she thought it was just part of the curriculum. But weeks later, she found herself emotionally invested in the children, their stories, and the challenges. What began as a checkbox became a life-changing experience that shaped her sense of purpose, identity, and social connection. Community service is an involved work that benefits the individual and the community. It builds empathy, purpose, resilience, social bond and personal growth in society.
From a psychological perspective, engaging in community service fosters well-being, social connectedness, and civic responsibility. An individual who continuously engages in community service exhibits increased self-esteem, improved social skills, greater life satisfaction, and enhanced personal development. Involving oneself in the community can positively impact an individual’s overall well-being.
Enhancing Psychological Well-Being
As we seen earlier, Community service promotes mental health, which creates a sense of purpose in society. When people tend to engage into volunteering, it helps in reducing anxiety, stress and depression, and helps in increasing happiness and self–esteem. As for Anjali, she found her true self and reduced signs of mental health issues.
In our brain, there is an area” mesolimbic System”, which is responsible for reward and empathy and also known as the Helper’s high, and it gets activated by serving in community areas. Raju is a social work student feeling overwhelmed by the academic pressure and social anxiety. Decided to engage in community service. After a few weeks, he noticed some changes, which led him to feel more confident.
In this example, we can say that once he gets himself into an act, the system gets activated and rewarded. Individuals who tend to engage regularly report high levels of life satisfaction, and economically, giving time to help others strengthens identity, belonging, and purpose (Omoto& Snyder, 2002).
Building Social Connectedness
Community service strengthens social bonds, addressing the human need for belonging. A WHO report (2014) on social determinants of health found that volunteering enhances social networks, reducing isolation, which allows the individual to take part in society and reduce the pressure. Engaging in local areas brings people of different classes, castes, and religions together. These interactions create social trust, and it is essential for the community.
In a study, it is emphasised that community participation tends to increase health and strengthen individual outcomes and institutional efficiency. For instance, a community clean-up project in a small town led to stronger neighbourly ties, with participants reporting increased trust. Engaging in service creates shared experiences, fostering empathy and reducing social divides, particularly in diverse communities. Psychologists agree that empathy isn’t purely inborn; it’s teachable and cultivable. When young people engage in community service, they learn to listen, feel, and act on the pain of others, which strengthens emotional intelligence and moral maturity.
A study showed that students who did community service were more likely to engage in prosocial behaviour, respect for diversity, and ethical leadership in adulthood (Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2014). Modern societies, especially urban environments, often encourage individualism and personal gain. Community service acts as an antidote to entitlement, fostering humility, gratitude, and the realisation that privilege can be used to uplift others.
Developing Civic Responsibility
Being a citizen is not just a part of society; it’s a responsibility. Each individual should participate in community service as it cultivates a sense of civic duty, essential for democratic societies. Community service creates a habit of participation, responsibility, and collective problem-solving, which are all crucial for a healthy civic ecosystem.
Priya volunteers at a homeless shelter during her college time, helps in developing a deeper understanding of social inequalities and a motivation to advocate for policy changes. Community service bridges individual actions to collective responsibility. The benefits of giving ourselves to the community include:
- Develops responsibility: It develops a sense of responsibility, which motivates the individual to engage in society.
- Creates empathy: Volunteering helps individuals understand the struggles faced in society.
- Builds Community togetherness: Community service brings people together, promoting unity and social cohesion.
Personal Growth and Skill Development
Volunteering develops psychological resilience and personal growth. In 1997, Albert Bandura, in his self-efficacy theory, explained that overcoming challenges in service activities builds confidence. It is also found that individuals who are involved in community service reported increased levels of problem-solving and leadership skills after community projects. For instance, organising a charity event requires planning and teamwork, enhancing self-efficacy. This growth is particularly vital for youth, who develop identity and purpose through service, as noted by Erik Erikson in his psychosocial development theory.
Societal Benefits
Community service strengthens society by addressing local needs. The WHO’s 2018 report on community engagement highlighted that volunteer-driven initiatives, like health campaigns, reduce public health burdens. For example, a community-led vaccination drive in a rural area increased immunisation rate by 30%. Collective participation fosters social capital, as Putnam (2000) argues in Bowling Alone, promoting trust and cooperation. Every citizen’s involvement ensures equitable contributions to societal well-being.
Real life examples:
- In food banks and pantries: Volunteering at the pantries helps in addressing food insecurity and providing essential services to those in need. (Ravi works as a volunteer in the ABC restaurant for the past 3 years, which helps him understanding the individuals’ needs and the services required for the future.).
- Environmental Conservation: Participating in environmental conservation efforts, such as park cleanups and tree planting, helps in promoting and protecting natural resources. (Kartik, a college dropout student, started engaging in community services and noticed several changes in the environment that affect society. He started to make flyovers and motivate other people to get involved in it.)
Conclusion
We can conclude that Community service unites us in this digital era. In a time of social isolation, economic pressure, and disconnection from ourselves, it teaches responsibility, creates empathy, and serves as a reminder that we are all a part of something greater than ourselves. Community service improves well-being, civic duty, connectedness, personal development, and societal health, making it a psychological and social necessity. By performing service, citizens improve their own lives and their communities, starting a win-win situation.
FAQs
1. Why does community service improve mental health?
Volunteering creates purpose and positive emotions, reducing stress and enhancing well-being.
2. How does community service build social connections?
It creates shared experiences, fostering trust and empathy, which strengthens social bonds per the belongingness hypothesis.
3. Can community service influence civic behaviour?
Yes, it promotes moral reasoning and civic engagement, increasing participation in activities like voting, as shown in research.
4. What skills can volunteering develop?
Volunteering improves skills such as problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork, boosting self-efficacy and personal growth.
5. How does community service benefit society?
It addresses local needs, builds social capital, and reduces public burdens, as seen in health and community initiatives.
References +
American Psychological Association. (2016). Volunteering and mental health: Benefits of community engagement. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2016/volunteering
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W.H. Freeman.
Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497
World Health Organization. (2014). Social determinants of health: The solid facts (2nd ed.). WHO Regional Office for Europe. https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/98438/e81384.pdf
World Health Organization. (2018). Community engagement for health and development. WHO Press. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241506502
