The United Nations is powered by people—especially the thousands of volunteers who show up, speak out, and serve. Whether building peace, defending rights, or delivering care, volunteers face tough missions, hidden challenges, and unexpected setbacks. But one thing never changes: their commitment, solidarity and compassion.  Eighty years on, the United Nations remains a force for peace and progress, and today, on United Nations Day, we share six stories of volunteers who lend a listening ear and deliver life-saving aid, breathing life into the words: inspiration in action.

In September, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Türkiye organized a Youth Engagement Workshop on Mental Wellbeing to address the rising mental health challenges facing young people—especially in provinces hardest hit by the devastating  2023 earthquakes. More than 30 medical and media students took part in this workshop as Online Volunteers and supported the Photovoice Survey Report, a powerful photo and story-based survey on preventing suicide. Through storytelling and visuals, they revealed the mental well-being challenges young people face—and the diverse, often courageous ways they navigate and respond to them. On World Mental Health Day, we bring you testimonials of Online Volunteers, three of whom are from Hatay, one of the hardest-hit regions in the 2023 earthquakes.