Bel's #DoGoodFeelGood story: volunteering for Shout gives me a sense of purpose

After experiencing her own mental health struggles, Bel decided to become a Shout Volunteer to help others feeling the same way. Bel has found the skills she’s learned in training and taking conversations have had an influence on her day-to-day life, improving her active listening and helping her tackle challenging conversations.

What made you decide to become a Shout Volunteer?

As soon as I realised I could volunteer for Shout, I knew I had to sign up. I had reached a point in my life where I was able to take on new commitments and volunteering for Shout stood out to me as someone who has struggled with my own mental health.

It seemed like a great way to actively make an impact by helping others. I also found the opportunity quite unique, in that I would be able to be on the platform myself and take a very involved approach to volunteering.

What do you find most rewarding about being a Shout Volunteer?

I find it such an honour to be trusted with some very emotional and vulnerable moments that texters feel brave enough to share.

It’s really rewarding when a texter is able to take the steps to make a safety plan with me. I find the conversations I have as a volunteer also teach me a lot - they’re a reminder that I need my own coping skills and safety plan, and that taking these steps are scary but necessary.

Have you been able to use any of the training or skills you've developed as a Shout Volunteer in your day-to-day and/or professional life? How?

I feel much more well equipped to participate in more challenging conversations since starting my Shout role.

My active listening has definitely improved a lot and friends and family have brought up how helpful I have been. Sometimes my friends will pick up on phrases I now use that are very Shout-like. My go-to Shout phrases have definitely become part of my vocabulary! A fun and useful skill I’ve developed is speed typing and overall multitasking. Learning to take multiple conversations weirdly helped a lot in deadline season when I found myself speed-typing essays in the library!

Would you recommend becoming a Shout Volunteer? Why?

I would definitely recommend giving volunteering for Shout a go. I didn’t know if I would be any good at it, but I’ve found I am and I’m improving more and more with every shift I take.

It gives me a sense of purpose and is the first thing I have properly committed to in a long time.

It’s also made me more aware of different mental health services and resources. I don’t think I would have ever been so open with my therapist and doctor had it not been for my enhanced awareness of mental health as a Shout Volunteer.