A Case Study: Do You Address Your Volunteers’ Well-Being or Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic? If So, How?

Authors

• Daniel J. Robotham, The Pennsylvania State UniversityFollow
• Suzanna R. Windon, The Pennsylvania State University
• Ann E. Echols, Volunteer Centre County

Volume

62

Issue

3

DOI

10.34068/joe.62.03.23

Abstract

The uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound negative impact on volunteer mental health and well-being. We surveyed local non-profit organizational leaders about their practices toward addressing volunteer well-being and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study results indicated that while over a quarter of organizations did nothing to address volunteer well-being, other organizations utilized several approaches, including one-on-one and group meetings, program implementation, office culture investment, task assignment, and information dissemination. These findings provide valuable insight for Extension educators to develop community mental health and well-being programs to assist non-profit organizations' response to future uncertainty.

Creative Commons License

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Recommended Citation

Robotham, D. J., Windon, S. R., & Echols, A. E. (2024). A Case Study: Do You Address Your Volunteers’ Well-Being or Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic? If So, How?. Journal of Extension, 62(3), Article 23. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.62.03.23