New York City, New York Jul 1, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - 161 COUNTRIES VOTED YES. TIME TO MOBILIZE.
In a world grappling with despair, from youth mental health crises to widespread societal burnout, a powerful new force is stepping forward: Hope. On July 12, 2025, individuals, schools, cities, and companies around the globe will unite for the first-ever International Day of Hope, a newly designated United Nations observance aimed at combating rising hopelessness through science-based, practical tools. In response, the International Foundation for Research and Education on Hope (iFred) is launching a sweeping global campaign to activate the day, offering free resources, evidence-based strategies, and simple actions that anyoneanywherecan take to build emotional resilience and foster collective wellbeing.
With 161 nations voting to establish the International Day of Hope, it is time to mobilize, especially in the United States, where there is growing concern over record levels of hopelessness among American youth, with more than 1 in 3 high school students reporting persistent feelings of despair.
This vote underscores the urgency of grassroots movement, said Kathryn Goetzke, Founder of iFred and UN Representative for the World Federation for Mental Health. Hope is nonpartisan. Hope is action. Hope starts with each of usnow.
Hope Is Not Just a Feeling. Its a strategy.
Led by Goetzke, the campaign draws from decades of psychological research, particularly Charles Snyders Hope Theory, which defines Hope as the combination of goals, pathways, and motivation. Goetzkes expanded model addresses both emotional despair and motivational helplessnessthe core ingredients of suicide, depression, violence, addiction, and disengagement.
Hope is a strategic, teachable, and measurable process, said Dr. Myron Belfer, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Advisor to iFred. Its one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent mental health crises and improve public health outcomes.
Why Hope Works
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Studies show that higher levels of Hope are linked to:
- Reduced violence, addiction, and suicidal ideation
- Greater academic and workplace performance
- Better mental and physical health
- Stronger community resilience
Hope is not sentimentalits clinical, said Dr. Edward Barksdale Jr., Chief of Surgery for Chicagoland Childrens Health Alliance. In communities burdened by violence and underinvestment, hopelessness becomes the soil where despair and destruction grow. Teaching Hope gives people the skills to choose a different path forward.
Free Global Toolkit Available Now
To empower broad participation, iFred has launched a no-cost Global Activation Toolkit that includes:
- Hopeful Minds® curriculum for schools
- Validated Hope Scale for youth and adults
- Hopeful Workplace tools, co-created with One Mind at Work
- Parents Guide to Hope for use at home
- Templates for proclamations, posters, rallies, and social media
- A shareable campaign video and official hashtags:
#InternationalDayofHope #IDOH2025 #LetsShineHope #Hope
3 Simple Actions to Join the Global Movement
iFred is asking everyoneschools, companies, nonprofits, familiesto take just three actions from the toolkit to make Hope visible and actionable in their community and add the activation to the global map to be part of the movement. Examples include:
- Measuring your Hope level
- Creating Sparks of Hope in self and others
- Posting on social media
- Teaching a Hope lesson
- Planting a sunflower as a living symbol of Hope
- Hosting or joining a nonpartisan Hope rally or march
- Activating the workplace
- Submitting a city proclamation
About the International Day of Hope
The UN resolution establishing July 12 as the International Day of Hope was introduced by Ambassador Teburoro Tito of Kiribati and passed with overwhelming global support. Though not initiated by a government, the activation effort is being led independently by iFred and a coalition of partners committed to advancing mental health, equity, and resilience.
We are witnessing a historic rise in hopelessnessand while governments debate, people are ready to act, said Goetzke. This day gives the world something positive to rally around. And the tools are already here.
Join the Movement
Mark your calendar for July 12, 2025
Visit www.internationaldayofhope.org
Watch the campaign video: Watch here
Use the hashtags: #InternationalDayofHope #IDOH2025 #LetsShineHope #Hope
Lets shine a light on hopelessnessand teach the world how to Hopetogether.
About iFred
The International Foundation for Research and Education on Hope (iFred) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the global burden of hopelessness through research, education, and public awareness. Founded in 2004 by Kathryn Goetzke, iFred began by leading international efforts to rebrand depression and eliminate stigmausing positive imagery, the sunflower, the color yellow, and celebrity engagement to shine a light on mental health. Today, iFred focuses on reframing and operationalizing Hope as a critical protective factor for mental health, emotional well-being, and resilience, including the global activation of the July 12th International Day of Hope. Learn more at www.ifred.org.
Campaign Website: www.internationaldayofhope.org
Campaign Video: Watch here
Source :iFred
This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.
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