In a commentary, Steve Loh, Executive Director of the SMU Lien Centre for Social Innovation shared how his personal volunteering experiences had positively impacted his life. Citing findings from SMU’s Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA)’s study, “Volunteerism Among Older Adults in Singapore”, which highlighted a strong link between long-term volunteering and improved mental well-being, Mr Loh observed that the benefits of volunteering extend beyond individual well-being to contribute to a more cohesive and caring society. They were heartened by the growing efforts of various stakeholders – including government agencies, the corporate sector and academic institutions like SMU – to promote volunteerism. The commentary closed with a call to action, encouraging individuals to consider volunteering as a meaningful way to support both mental health and community well-being.
