How Civic Engagement affect a student's mental health

  How can Civic Engagement affect a student's mental health? In an article titled "Linking Engaged Learning, Student Mental Health and Well-Being, and Civic Development", The author mentions that the definition of mental health and well-being is, "encompassing individuals' abilities to realize their potential, cope with stress, relate positively with others, make healthy decisions, and contribute to community" During my reading of the class textbook and browsing the college databases, I felt as if the mental health of students were not addressed adequately in the process of Civic Engagement. There are many peer reviewed articles that state students feel a sense of purpose and well-being completing a service learning project. Also, in chapter one of "Serving though learning" the author seems to suggest in more way than one that a student should expect and enact an increase of well-being and mental functioning through the act of service learning in itself. Thinking in the sociological imagination, the hidden curriculum in College culture creates dissonance. However, the author in another article titled "Diverse Students’ Mental Health" states that, "dissonance—uncertainty, tension, or conflict created by challenging situations not only could enhance learning and development but also might threaten mental health. When mental health is threatened, learning suffers." I feel as if a college student dealing with Depression or Anxiety issues for example, would choose to not participate, participate late, or in many cases not at all and lose an opportunity for learning and engaging in the community. How can Civic Engagement affect a student's mental health?