Support iFred

Honor the 350 million with depression worldwide and "Pledge to Plant" for our 2013 Field for Hope sunflower campaign. This initiative is the largest-scale, international effort in history focused directly on raising awareness and funds for depression research and education. Last year, this campaign successfully led to the planting of sunflowers in fields across Liberia, Kenya, Nepal, Germany, Mexico, Australia, the United States, and more.  This unique movement has captured the attention of leaders, activists, and media from around the world who work to raise awareness and combat the effects of depression on individuals, communities and nations. Take action today so that 100% of those with depression receive treatment.  

The Pledge
Virtual Planting: Pledge to plant a virtual sunflower in honor of someone you know. Encourage your "friends" to shine a light of HOPE, and plant one as well. Get organizations around the world joining to show the collective power of universally sharing this symbol for HOPE.

In-the-Ground Planting:  Do you want your symbol of HOPE to shine brightly and impact your community visually? You, or a group, can pledge to plant a sunflower, a garden, or even a field in your local community.

A Sunflower for Hope:  In addition to your virtual plant, plant a LIVE sunflower in your back yard, on a window sill; anywhere!  Put up a small yard sign showcasing your support.  Ask others to join you in planting hope.

A Garden for Hope: Plant a garden at a local school or community area and get people involved in planting. Start conversations about maintaining a healthy brain, especially among youth. Print and post a sign, found in our digital toolbox, and share the photos with us.

A Field for Hope: Dedicate your current sunflower field, or plant your own. Be bold and ask a farmer to dedicate his field to the cause. The ask is easy: "Would you please erect a sign honoring the 350 million people around the world needing an additional symbol of HOPE?" Share photos of the farmer and field on Facebook to inspire others around the world.

The Sunflower: Each sunflower serves as a symbol of light and hope for the 350 million people living with the treatable disease of depression. Have you noticed:

• Sunflowers grow towards sunlight with their faces tracking the sun. We need those with depression to seek light instead of responding to the natural instinct of hiding in darkness during a depressive episode. 
• Sunflowers are yellow; the color of joy, happiness and hope—symbolizing that depression can be successful treated. We think this symbol, if used in a similar way to the pink ribbon for breast cancer or red dress for heart disease, can serve as a much more hopeful and positive icon for depression survivors than each organization's unique symbology alone. 
• Sunflowers can be harvested and used for good. This allows all nonprofits and individuals the unique opportunity to not just plant seeds, but to utilize the seeds, bringing the project full circle.

Questions on Activation? Please access our campaign activation toolbox at ifred.org/ourwork/fieldforhope (launching soon!) and find all digital and planting kit items needed to participate in the campaign! From the bottom of our heart, and the 350 million around the world in need of your help, thank you.