Mission

Who We Are

iFred, a 501(c)3 organization established in 2004, worked to shine a positive light on mental health and eliminate stigma through prevention, research and education and created a shift in society’s negative perception through positive imagery, rebranding, celebrity engagement, cause marketing campaigns, and establishing the sunflower and color yellow as the international symbols for Hope. iFred worked with The Mood Factory to do the first nationwide cause marketing campaign for mental health in the US, and created the first ever program to teach Hope, based on research it is a teachable skill.

Teaching Hope

Hopelessness is the single consistent predictor of suicide, a primary symptom of depression, and often found in anxiety. Thus, iFred turned theory into practice by launching the first ever no cost global curriculum designed to teach the antidote: HOPE. iFred proved the theory that Hope is teachable through a research collaboration with Ulster University, and the level of Hope increased, depression and anxiety decreased, and emotional regulation and resilience increased. Higher levels of Hope correspond to greater emotional and psychological well-being, greater economic security, improved academic performance, less violence, more connection, less loneliness, and enhanced personal relationships. Hopeful Minds has been featured as an innovation at the World Bank, and presented at IACAPAP, Harvard, United Nations, British Psychological Society, One Mind, The Kennedy Forum, and more.

Why Now?

70% of youth report that their mental health and their peers mental health is their greatest challenge. 1 in 9 students self-report suicide attempts before graduating high school, with 40% indicating their first attempt was made in grade school.  Depression is now the leading cause of disability worldwide, and less than 50% are receiving treatment due to stigma and lack of resources. Yet we have a proven, effective treatments with positive returns on investments.

Our Founder

Kathryn Goetzke, MBA, started iFred in honor of her late father, Jon Goetzke, a successful banker and engaged family man who died by suicide when she was a freshman in college. She has lived experience with PTSD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, addiction, and her own suicide attempt. She believed by tackling stigma and branding; she could reduce the treatment gap and commit to a life of sobriety to serve as an example for youth. Her company, The Mood Factory, launched the first nationwide cause marketing campaign for mental health, a tactic known to decrease stigma, raising over $1 million for charities. She serves on the advisory boards for FundaMentalSDG, Global Mental Health Movement, and The Women’s Brain Project and is on the board of Hope Means Nevada. She also serves as a United Nations representative for the World Federation for Mental Health. In addition to being interviewed for and contributing to several national media outlets, she has appeared internationally to speak about business, rebranding, and Hope. She has recently created a new company, The Shine Hope Company, and is committed to using her business acumen to bring to life her dream of ensuring all know ‘how to Hope’ to reality.

Our Impact

  • Recognized as an innovation by the World Bank, downloaded in over 50 countries, with community engagement of sunflowers gardens and fields planted for Hope.
  • Conducted research proving the Five Keys to Shine Hope model is effective at increasing Hope. 
  • Studied the Hopeful Minds curricula and found reduction in anxiety & depressive symptoms, and an increase in emotional regulation, resilience and Hope.
  • The Hopeful Minds program has been downloaded by over 7,000 educators. 
  • Developed the Hopeful Minds for Teens Hopeguide, a peer-to-peer teaching style program that was created in collaboration with a diverse set of teens.  
  • Global media coverage on Hope and rebranding mental health and first nationwide cause marketing campaign for mental health.
  • Police teach Hope to kids in housing programs for positive engagement and strengthening relationships.
  • Kid Approved! Rated a 9 or 10 out of 10 by kids.

Engage in Hope

  • Teach the Hopeful Minds curriculum in schools, communities, houses of worship, workplaces, or more.
  • Plant sunflowers and put up a sign for Gardens for Hope to increase awareness of the program.
  • Run a cause marketing campaign or help find financial supporters to help expand the curriculum to other populations.
  • Ask thought leaders or celebrities to engage with us on Hope and ask marketing agencies to work with us to create global PSA campaigns on Hope.

“Each and every child needs to be taught HOPE.” 

Northern Ireland, Age 10