I guess I read it that the LW found work unfulfilling, hence the un- and under-employment, and was looking to the volunteering for some sense of purpose. But my point is that almost everyone I know who volunteers goes through some sort of burnout at some point. They wouldn't be human if they didn't. Granted, there are some activities that shield you more from difficult realities, and they might be easier, but they're also likely to be more tedious - letter stuffing, anyone? At the animal shelter where I volunteer, though, it's fairly common for people to feel the same way the LW did and need a break (and I disagree that an animal shelter is a place that will make you feel less "emotionally flayed," although if you consider purrs and tail wags rewarding, you will get a lot of reward). I think it's also possible that this person encountered a poorly-run volunteer program. Unfortunately a lot of organizations toss their volunteers into activities with insufficient training and resources to deal with the multiple emotions volunteering can bring up, or strain their volunteers to the breaking point because there is always more need. It took me a few tries to find the right volunteer gig, and I sometimes felt overwhelmed too. I would encourage this person to take Prudie's advice and try again, but research the program and see what kind of training they offer volunteers. Also talk to your fellow volunteers - sometimes a good rant can lighten the burden, and knowing that others are in the same boat is a relief.