We have been working hard to activate hope in workplaces. Hope starts at the top, and the best way to create a hopeful workforce is to ensure leaders understand hope scores and how they relate to healthcare costs, retention, productivity, violence, safety, and mental health.

I recently had the honor of training leadership at the Veterans Affairs in Little Rock, Arkansas last week. A huge thanks to Michael D. Jaques, the Chief of Chaplain Service, and Roger Bush, D.Min., BCC Chaplain at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, for the opportunity to share with this important population.

Hopelessness is prevalent among veterans:

• Disabled veterans, veterans above 40, and those with active service history have the highest hopelessness rates.

• 44% – 72% of veterans face high stress when transitioning from military to civilian life.

• 5.2 million veterans have a diagnosable mental health condition, with more than half not receiving treatment in 2020.

• 90% of veterans struggle with substance misuse.

Hopelessness leads to numerous adverse consequences, including risky behaviors, loneliness, anxiety and depression, substance use, and poor health outcomes. However, research has shown that higher hope corresponds to decreased trauma symptoms, severity and rate of mental health symptoms, chronic pain, chronic illnesses, and substance misuse in the veteran population.

Higher hope also leads to decreased feelings of isolation and disconnection, decreased homelessness, and increased resilience, ability to achieve goals, efficacy of psychotherapy treatments, quality of life, sleep quality, and adherence to treatment and medications. We are pasionate about activating veterans on the ‘how’ to hope.

As we explore ways to conquer these challenges, it’s enlightening to delve into the transformative power of hope and empathy. That’s why I’m thrilled to share our latest episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast featuring Dr. Crystal Bryce, a distinguished expert in hope and empathy. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Bryce discusses the science and power of hope, offering practical strategies for nurturing hope and empathy in our lives.

Listen to the Hope Matrix and explore Dr. Bryce’s work here.

In addition to this work, we’ve put out some news about hope on the newswires. We encourage you to check out the latest on hope:

• Hopelessness, a Public Safety and Health Emergency, Necessitates Hope as a Strategy

• New Research Finds Hope Emerges as a Teachable Skill for College Students

• United Nations Event Creates Call to Action for Youth Mental Health Crisis

As Christopher Reeves (aka Superman) famously said, “Once You Choose Hope, Anything is Possible”.

We believe the time to choose hope is now. Please reach out and join us to fulfill this mission to ensure all know the what, why, and how of hope.

Keep Shining,

Kathryn

Kathryn Goetzke, MBA

• CEO & Chief Hope Officer, The Shine Hope Company
• Author of The Biggest Little Book About Hope
• Founder of International Foundation for Research and Education on Hope (iFred)
• Creator of Hopeful Cities, and Hopeful Minds
• Creator of Hopeful Mindsets Overview, Hopeful Mindsets in the Workplace Overview,  and Hopeful Mindsets on the College Campus Course
• Podcast host of The Hope Matrix
• Chief Mood Officer, The Mood Factory (taking a break, for hope!)
• www.kathryngoetzke.com