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 different aspects of volunteering differently. Overall, stakeholders called for structured recruitment and support, training, defining boundaries and fighting the stigma of mental illness. Conclusion: Despite the lack of volunteering tradition in mental health care in Portugal, volunteering programmes were perceived as an important resource for patients with mental illness.