CREDIT: KERRA SEAY
CMHA Middlesex has rewarding volunteering opportunities for students who are looking for a way to give back to the London community.

“You may have a perception of what mental health looks like with individual clients; you have perceptions on how they are going to react, talk or behave and I am telling you that that perception will change 100 per cent while working one-on-one with someone,” said Phillip Mock who is in the fast track social service program at Fanshawe.

This program requires 12 hours of volunteering in order for students to graduate and Mock wasted no time in completing his hours.

He has been volunteering with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Middlesex since September as a one-on-one support worker.

“I cant even believe the connection myself and the client have made over the past couple of weeks, I think it's amazing to see the personality changes that occurs as you get to know the person and your relationship gets more and more in depth. It shows he is getting more and more comfortable with me.”

And according to Aleena Needham, the community engagement co-ordinator at CMHA Middlesex, they are in need of more student volunteers especially in the Strathroy area.

“The satisfaction of knowing you have helped someone who really needs the help, whether it's one-onone leisure support or driving, it is a very fulfilling way to connect with the community and to serve other people.”

CMHA Middlesex provides community- based mental health, housing supports, outreach and education out of many locations across London, Middlesex, Strathroy, Exeter and Goderick according to the website.

“[Working at CMHA] is a great way to connect with the population who is somewhat misunderstood and maybe at first glance it might not the most appealing thing for people to get involved with, but it offers a lot of personal satisfaction.”

Needham also discussed the academic and career-based benefits one can acquire from volunteering with the CMHA.

“There are some immediate benefits about broadening skills and job horizons… it is hands on skills, certainly something to list on the resume.”

Volunteer positions at CMHA range from musician volunteer, to helping with special events, to the Strathroy site leisure and life skills position, to helping out with driving and finally the one-on-one support worker.

The one-on-one leisure support worker volunteer position will entail driving the individual around, personal leisure visiting, taking the individual four outing helping the individual around their house, basically providing a friend to someone in need according to Needham.

“My client specifically I work with twice a month for a couple of hours, we go for walks, whatever the client wants to do,” Mock said.

And as mental health illnesses continue to increase as education surrounding the topic continues to increase as well, students can lend a helping hand to part of the population that is misunderstood.

“I would suggest volunteering with the CMHA 100 per cent, I think it is an amazing opportunity to work with clients on a one-on-one basis,” Mock said. “It's a very empowering and life changing experience.”