1. Increased sense of purpose: Giving to others can provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life, which can be especially important for those struggling with mental illness.
2. Boosted self-esteem: Helping others can give individuals a sense of accomplishment and pride, which can boost self-esteem and confidence, helping to counteract the negative effects of mental illness.
3. Feel-good chemicals: Giving to others can stimulate the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, including serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
4. Social connections: Donating time or money to a cause can provide opportunities for social connections and a feeling of community, which can combat feelings of isolation and loneliness.
5. Perspective shift: Helping others can provide a shift in perspective, helping individuals to focus on something outside of their own struggles and see the larger world, which can be helpful in combating depression or anxiety.
6. Sense of control: Giving to others can provide a sense of control and agency in one's life, which can be especially important for individuals dealing with mental illness who may feel out-of-control in other areas of their lives.
7. Increased compassion: Giving to others can increase empathy and compassion, which can help improve interpersonal relationships and cultivate a sense of altruism, both of which can help counteract the negative effects of mental illness.