the helper-therapy principle

The helper-therapy principle states that giving help to someone else is the best way of being helped. For example, a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) member who provides support to another NA member may benefit more than the helpee. Being the helper is of benefit because:

the helper feels good about having something to give;
it is an active role and the helper feels less dependent;
the helper feels useful and competent; and
it gives the helper a sense of being in control and capable of doing something useful.