Views on volunteering in mental health: a focus group study with mental health professionals and volunteers in Portugal.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Volunteering has reported health benefits. However, little is known in Portugal about the views of mental health professionals and volunteers on volunteering in mental health care.

Methods

A qualitative secondary analysis of data from six focus groups with 28 participants was conducted in order to explore and compare the perspectives on volunteering in mental health of two stakeholders: mental health professionals and volunteers in Portugal.

Results

Four main themes arose: the nature of the volunteering relationship; volunteering has multiple aims; technology has potential for volunteering; and volunteering has its challenges. Although there were mostly commonalities between their views, some variability suggested that different stakeholders may consider

SUBMITTER: Pinto da Costa M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10501020 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature