​Volunteering has been found to be a significant predictor of improved health among the general population. Yet, little is known about the relationship between volunteering and perceived general health among individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). Using data on 1,127 participants obtained from the 2014 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) this study examined the extent to which volunteering is associated with perceived general health of individuals with SMI.

Study findings indicate that individuals who engage in volunteering are more likely to report better health status when compared to those who do not engage in volunteering.