Why small acts of generosity have a real impact on mental health, sense of purpose, and the construction of a more humane society.
As the year draws to a close, something changes in the air. Lights flicker on, streets take on new sounds and colors, and a silent question begins to arise more frequently: “What can I do for others?” This internal shift is no coincidence. The end of a cycle often awakens reflection, empathy, and a genuine desire to contribute to something larger than one’s daily routine.
While this sensitivity is more visible during the holiday season, the truth is that the impulse for solidarity does not belong to a specific season. It can—and should—exist year-round. However, the most common question remains: how can we help in a conscious, safe, and truly transformative way?
In a world marked by social inequality, information overload, and a rise in emotional distress, solidarity ceases to be just a nice gesture. It becomes a concrete tool for collective care—with a direct impact on both those who receive and those who give.
Solidarity in times of collective emotional crisis
Recent data helps contextualize this need. According to the Ipsos Health Service Report 2025, more than half of Brazilians (52%) state that mental health is currently their greatest concern. In 2018, this figure was only 18%. In just a few years, emotional well-being has moved from a secondary topic to a national urgency.
This scenario does not emerge in isolation. Economic insecurity, social inequality, violence, job instability, and a lack of prospects directly interfere with how people live, relate, and care for their own mental health.
It is precisely in this context that solidarity gains an even more relevant dimension. Helping doesn’t solve every structural problem, but it creates support networks, strengthens bonds, and restores meaning amidst the chaos.
Doing good feels good: The emotional impact of helping
Several studies in psychology and neuroscience prove that acts of generosity activate areas of the brain linked to pleasure and reward. When we help someone, our bodies release substances like endorphins and serotonin, known as “feel-good hormones.”
This phenomenon has become known as the “helper’s high”—a kind of emotional euphoria associated with the act of giving. It is not about selfishness disguised as altruism, but rather a natural organic response to cooperative behavior.
Helping:
- Reduces stress levels
- Improves mood
- Strengthens the sense of belonging
- Increases the perception of purpose
In other words, solidarity is a two-way street. It embraces the receiver and emotionally sustains the giver.
Solidarity as a construction of meaning
Beyond the chemical impact on the brain, helping someone also touches something deeper: the meaning we give to our own existence.
In a daily life marked by difficult news and a sense of helplessness in the face of major social problems, solidarity acts as an emotional antidote. It restores a sense of agency—the certainty that, even if we cannot change everything, it is possible to change something.
Choosing to contribute to a cause generates connection, hope, and a sense of continuity. It is about investing in the present without losing sight of the future.
When empathy turns into concrete action
Feeling empathy is important, but transforming it into action is what truly generates social impact. For many people, the challenge lies precisely in understanding how to help.
Misdirected donations, a lack of transparency, or ignorance of the available possibilities often discourage those who wish to contribute. Therefore, initiatives that connect donors to reliable projects play a fundamental role.
One such possibility is the allocation of a portion of Individual Income Tax to social projects approved under tax incentive laws.
Tax Allocation: Solidarity at no additional cost
Many people are unaware that it is possible to direct a portion of their owed tax to social initiatives without paying a penny more. This is a citizen’s right and a powerful exercise in active citizenship.
By opting for the “complete” (itemized) tax return model, taxpayers can allocate a percentage of the amount owed to social projects previously approved by incentive laws.
In practice, this means:
- You don’t pay more in taxes.
- The money doesn’t come out of your pocket.
- You decide where a portion of the resources goes.
Instead of the entire amount going directly to the government, a portion is transformed into social investment, supporting causes you identify with.
Solidarity as a conscious and political choice
Allocating tax funds goes beyond a fiscal benefit. It is a decision involving values, purpose, and a worldview.
In a scenario where many feel powerless against complex social problems, this choice represents a concrete form of participation. It is saying, in practice: “I care about this.”
This attitude strengthens civil society, encourages local projects, and contributes to essential areas such as:
- Health
- Education
- Culture
- Sports
- Social Protection
Social impact goes beyond the individual
When we talk about solidarity, it is important to look at the individual within a broader context. Mental health is not just an individual issue; it is deeply influenced by the environment in which a person lives.
Factors such as poverty, violence, lack of access to opportunities, and social exclusion have a direct impact on emotional well-being. It is precisely on these fronts that many social projects operate, providing support where the State often fails to reach sufficiently.
Projects that transform realities
Various social initiatives can receive resources through tax allocation. Among them, projects operating in different stages of life stand out:
- Protection for Children and Adolescents: Projects focused on preventing violence, strengthening family bonds, and promoting citizenship help children grow up in safer, healthier environments.
- Inclusion and Care for the Elderly: Initiatives that promote physical, cultural, and intellectual activities for seniors contribute to autonomy, quality of life, and emotional health in this stage of life.
- Holistic Development for Youth: Projects offering sociocultural, sporting, and educational workshops during after-school hours expand horizons, build self-esteem, and create real alternatives for the future.
These actions do not just meet immediate needs; they build the foundation for lasting transformation.
Solidarity is also collective mental health
When supporting social projects, the impact is not limited to the direct beneficiary. It spreads through the community, strengthens local networks, and creates more welcoming environments.
This ripple effect is essential for reducing inequalities and promoting collective well-being. When a child has access to education, a senior citizen feels included, or a family finds support, all of society benefits.
Small gestures, big impacts
Solidarity does not need to be grandiose to be meaningful. It can happen in many ways:
- Allocating part of your taxes
- Volunteering
- Donating time or expertise
- Sharing opportunities
- Spreading the word about important causes
Every gesture counts. Every action adds up.
Closing cycles with purpose
The end of a year usually sparks deep reflections on what has been lived and what we want to build moving forward. Incorporating solidarity into this process is a way to close cycles with meaning.
Lending a hand is not just about helping others. It is about strengthening bonds, creating belonging, and remembering that no one lives in isolation.
Conclusion: Doing good is a two-way street
Solidarity is not occasional charity, nor is it a moral obligation. It is a conscious choice that transforms realities—both external and internal.
By helping someone, we also take care of ourselves. We nourish hope, purpose, and connection. In times of emotional and social challenges, this movement becomes even more necessary.
May we transform empathy into action, intention into commitment, and small attitudes into real change.
How about turning solidarity into concrete action? Learn about safe ways to support social projects, share this content, and inspire others to be part of this network of collective care.
