Being supportive of others can bring us some emotional benefits, but being supportive of a person with a mental condition can also help them cope better with their situation.
First we must understand the term solidarity. The Royal Spanish Academy defines it as “circumstantial adherence to the cause or company of another.”
In a research by psychologist Margarita Morandé called: ‘Solidarity and Mental Health, an everyday dialogue?’, she says that There is a relationship between these two terms. Solidarity involves doing actions for the other and thinking about a ‘we’ that leads to the realization of the ‘I and you’ (in this case, the supportive person and the person with mental health problems).
It may interest you:
But the relationship does not stop there, because a recent survey found that doing Acts of solidarity can help prevent mental health problems.
According to a report prepared by the Spanish Volunteer Platform and the Third Sector Platform, which was reviewed by the newspaper ABC, the psychological consequences derived from COVID-19 They were milder among those who undertake solidarity tasks such as volunteering.
- Percentage of people who did NOT volunteer and felt sad during the pandemic: 58.5%.
- Percentage of people who DID volunteer and felt sad during the pandemic: 46.7%.
The research also revealed that the volunteers were more optimistic. In conclusion, solidarity is an issue that must increasingly be taken into account when thinking about solving mental health problems.
Helping others can bring great benefits for both of you.