Gardens for Hope

Gardens for Hope is a project that uses the sunflower as a positive symbol of HOPE to help eliminate mental health stigma around the world. Hopelessness is the number one symptom of depression, and a primary predictor in suicide, yet hope is teachable. We ask you to join us in planting sunflowers to raise awareness and honor the millions around the world that struggle, share the work of some of our great partners, and emphasize the need to teach hope. The more we work together to educate people in a positive and hopeful way, with actionable steps for improving outcomes in mental health and share resources available, the better our chances of closing the treatment gap and ending stigma.

Study shows gardening had therapeutic effects for psychiatric patients.

What You Can Do

Plant a garden in your front yard, local community garden, at a local park, at a school, or your church and post our Gardens for Hope Yard Sign. Invite and gather groups of people to help in planting hope together. Take a pic of you or your group with your sign, and tag @ifredorg #ChangeDirection #Hope. And if you see gardens out and about, take a pic!
Share your message for Hope with the world. Learn how to write your own Shine Hope Story™.
Have an event around the planting, or during the year. Can’t plant sunflowers? Create a piece of art in your community, as shown on our Artworks for Hope page.
Ask local retailers to support your work in your local community. Have them do a cause marketing campaign for your nonprofit with sunflower packets or sell the signs to generate funds. Use these gardens to amplify your work.
When they bloom, consider a photography contest in your community. Encourage people to get out, and get creative!
Harvest the sunflower seeds at the end of the year, and replant them the next year, continuing the cycle of Hope.
Start conversations about maintaining mental wellness, the importance of brain health and distribute our brochures to raise awareness and engage your community. For materials, please contact us.

Photo entry from our View Bug Photography Contest, 2014

Sunflowers planted in NY City Hall, thanks to NYC Thrive

Why Sunflowers?

We were very deliberate in our choosing of the sunflowers. It all began from a study by the Emotional Impact of Flowers Study conducted by Jeannette M. Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Project Director, Human Development Lab at Rutgers. According to her research, regardless of age, flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. Recent studies have suggested flowers help reduce stress, and often increase serotonin and dopamine. As we further researched, we found:

The symbolism of the sunflower holds profound meaning. A sunflower seed begins its journey in darkness, mirroring our most hopeless states. It represents our potential for growth and improvement amid despair. Just as a seed cannot flourish alone, we, too, rely on our Hope Network to nurture our hope.
The growth of a sunflower echoes our journey toward hope. It stretches roots deep into the ground, akin to our efforts to break free from despair using Stress Skills—meditation, deep breathing, and mindful pauses.
As the sunflower emerges into the sunlight, it unfurls leaves to gather sunshine, needing water, nourishment, and care to flourish. Similarly, we cultivate positive feelings through Happiness Habits—long-term, healthy practices fostering more and more hope.
Obstacles pepper the sunflower’s path; rocky soil and inadequate resources. Likewise, we face challenges. However, equipped with Stress Skills, Happiness Habits, Inspired Actions, Nourishing Networks, and skills to Eliminate Challenges, we navigate and conquer these hurdles.
The sunflower’s purpose transcends its growth; it provides sustenance and joy. Similarly, we share hope with those around us, becoming beacons of optimism and joy.
Our choice of the sunflower and its vibrant yellow hue isn’t arbitrary. It symbolizes our commitment to shine a positive light on hope, eradicating mental health stigma through proactive measures in prevention, research, and education. Yellow is the color of happiness and hope.
Gardening is also very healthy for the mood, so we encourage community gardens. Eating sunflower seeds can be healthy for the brain, as they are rich in vital nutrients. It is also one of the only flowers that can be planted anywhere in the world, and we believe the ‘how’ to hope must be planted everywhere as well.
It is also a method for nonprofits to raise funds for hope. You can sell the seeds, have gardens sponsored, sell products in retail, or create art for auctions. The ideas are endless!

So, in this endeavor, the sunflower becomes more than a symbol—it becomes the embodiment of hope, illuminating pathways toward a brighter future for cities and individuals alike.