Yeah, I wasn't really commenting on the religious discussion. More on the dismissal of the positives of volunteering. To each their own I guess. I am certainly no expert, but I can't help but feel that a lot of mental health struggles could be improved by spending more time focusing on improving someone else's life rather than looking inward too much. It is certainly only one piece of the puzzle though.

This is absolutely true, at least for general frustration/negativity. Playing a positive role for others is a huge help.

I don’t want to downplay depression or imply it’s a cure for that, but certainly my own struggles with same have been lessened when I was an active volunteer.

You don’t have to be a “better person” to volunteer; volunteering helps you become a better person.