Girl Behind the Fence

Per Mental Health America, 1,872,000,000 (48%) of the world's population feels hopeless. Science proves HOPE lowers the risk of early death and gives people a sense of purpose. Feeling HOPE helps release regret, sadness, anger, and depression. HOPE is not easy to feel, yet feeling HOPE creates possibilities to believe good things will happen so that they really can. Hopelessness is a symptom of many behavioral and mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, bipolar, eating disorders, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicidal ideations. However, hopelessness does not have to co-occur with any particular condition. Not only do feelings of hopelessness compromise an individual's sense of well-being and stability, it typically robs them of the motivation required to reach out for help or to utilize available resources. In fact, many of the common statements said by those feeling hopeless include: my situation will never get better, I have no future, no one can help me, I feel like giving up, it's too late, I have no hope, my situation is helpless, I feel doom, and I will never be happy again.