iFred launches Global Hope Challenge on World Mental Health Day to inspire #OneThing for #Hope
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 10, 2017 -- Today, on Global Mental Health Day, the International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (iFred) launches a challenge to spread Hope. They invite participants to share the one thing they turn to when feeling hopeless, anxious, depressed or stressed. The challenge is sponsored by The Mood Factory, and is a contest on the HeroX platform where the top three videos will win prize money ($1,000, $500, and $250). Kicking things off with powerful submissions from Jack.org’s network of young leaders, the goal is to help others create, maintain, and sustain hope by creating a 30 second video of what individuals do in their darkest hour to get through periods of hopelessness and work to get back to a hopeful state of mind.
“Two things we know are critical to creating and sustaining a hopeful mindset: Finding one thing a person can turn to when times are tough, such as music, meditation, nature, friends, exercise, or a pet, and identifying one safe person in their lives they can talk to,” said Kathryn Goetzke, founder of iFred. “Research suggests hope is a teachable skill you can create and build, like a muscle, and the research of our full program in Northern Ireland is showing promise to reduce anxiety, and increase hope and emotional regulation skills in kids. Hope is not a ‘soft concept’, and it is critical we stop treating it as such.”
Suicide and depression among youth are growing at alarming rates, with 36% of girls in the US alone self-reporting depression prior to graduating high school. Suicide is now the leading cause of death for 15-19 year-old girls, even though depression and anxiety are treatable and suicide is preventable. A recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health suggests that 1 in 9 kids attempt suicide prior to graduating high school, 40% of whom are in grade school. Goetzke reminds us, “Hopelessness is the primary predictor of suicide, and the number one symptom of depression, so we must learn how to work together and grow and secure the opposite: hope.”
The Global Hope Challenge launches on October 10th, World Mental Health Day, and asks organizations, advocates, and individuals to enter and share the contest by submitting the video on the HeroX campaign page and then sharing using the hashtags #OneThing & #Hope. The contest is open to all, though individuals under the age of 18 need parental permission. The hashtags represent the power of having one thing you can turn to since everyone needs at least one thing for hope to help deal with any situation life may bring.
The Mood Factory is sponsoring this challenge where the top three video submissions stand to win a total prize money of US $1,750 ($1,000, $500, $250). Participants record a quick video and share their personal experience with depression, anxiety, and/or feeling hopeless (if they want), and also must identify at least one thing they do to create a hopeful state. Voting then opens online, where all can vote on the messages, lifting up the ones they find most helpful and inspirational. Entries are allowed from October 10th through December 31st, 2017, and voting occurs January 1-31st. Winners are to be announced and videos shared at the Global Mental Health Movement’s meeting in South Africa on February 8, 2017.
With powerful submissions highlighted from Jack.org’s young leaders and resource support from The Mood Factory, this campaign will set the path for a fruitful and open conversation on depression and how building hope and proper support we can help alleviate one of the most important mental health issues of our times.
About iFred
The mission of International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (iFred) is to shine a positive light on depression and eliminate the stigma associated with the disease through prevention, research and education. Its goal is to ensure 100% of the 350 million people affected by depression seek and receive treatment. iFred has a Hopeful Minds(previously Schools for Hope) curriculum available free online that teaches Hope to young kids, based on research that Hope is a teachable skill.
About The Mood Factory
The Mood Factory’s mission is simple: to improve moods. The company does this by teaching people how to engage their senses to improve their well-being. They believe, getting in to the present moment is one of the fastest ways lead a happier, healthier and more engaged life.
About Jack.org
Jack.org trains and empowers young leaders who are revolutionizing mental health in Canada. Through Jack Talks, Jack Chapters and Jack Summits, young leaders identify and break down barriers to positive mental health in their communities. Jack.org is working towards a Canada where young people are comfortable talking about mental health, and those that need support get the help they deserve. With a national network of 2,500 young leaders, they're only just getting started.
Kathryn Goetzke, iFred, http://www.globaldayforhope.org, +1 7343589335, [email protected]
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