[mooreds]

I don't know what exactly you've tried, and back seat driving on HN about such a tough topic is probably a bad idea, but...

Have you tried joining a volunteer organization? I'm a member of a couple, and it's hard to overstate how much it has helped me get out. Helping other people is such a rush. It's not all roses and sunshine, but might be worth a try if you haven't gone down that path.

Either a dedicated non profit like a mentorship program or a volunteer organization like the Rotarians (I'm a member of the Odd Fellows, myself) would love to have even an hour of your time a week.

[JohnBooty]

Yes! Volunteering is great. You meet really good people doing it. Because people who volunteer tend to be people with big hearts, of course.

[sthreet]

Having done a small amount of required volunteering for school I would disagree. Of course, I live in the middle of nowhere, and it was mostly my classmates volunteering with me who are also required to volunteer for so many hours.

[JohnBooty]

  > required volunteering

So, uh, not volunteering, then? :)

I know what you mean; my school had that too. It's compulsory but you at least get to pick where you work, right?

Anyway, yeah. I'm talking about actual volunteer work. The kind where you volunteer.

[sthreet]

Well, ya, it isn't really volunteering. And there are so few places I know to work that I really don't get to pick where I work, it is just whatever one I find I do.

[mooreds]

I think the volunteering experience is, like so many other things, dependent on who else is participating as well as what you are doing. I hope you explore/are able to explore other opportunities in the future that resonate more profoundly with you.

[sthreet]

Maybe. I lost my signed sheet. So I have to do like 20 hours again. You wouldn't happen to know a good place to find things to volunteer for in general?

[JohnBooty]

My wife's charity organization has gotten some new members by publicizing their events on Meetup.com! I haven't used it but in general that seems like a good place to find things to do.

If not, try your local government or church, or just see if big-name charities or service organizations have any groups in your area.