THI helps open the door to a better life for young people!
As the world turns to the Olympics in Paris, Breathe Hellas – with The Hellenic Initiative (THI) as a lead sponsor – has launched its ‘Uniform of Hope’ campaign that shares the stories of Greece’s athletes and recognizes them as role models for mental health. On July 16 at Athens’s ‘Kalimarmaro’ stadium, the birthplace of the modern Olympic games, a collaboration was announced between Breathe Hellas and 28 Greek athletes and coaches – people many youth look up to as heroes and role models. It’s a call to action that empowers athletes to champion mental health advocacy, especially for young people.
Princess Tatiana Blatnik, who founded Breathe Hellas as a non-profit to fight the stigma surrounding mental health in Greece, introduced “this project I have been living and breathing this past four months, motivated by the motto “no one should suffer in silence.” Founded in 2012, THI is a global non-profit organization that brings together Diaspora Greeks and Philhellenes to invest in Greece through programs focused on economic development and crisis relief. Since its founding, THI has invested more than $22.5 million in Greece, supporting promising startups, the most effective philanthropic organizations and cultural endeavors. The ‘Uniform of Hope’ was created by the athletes and coaches who wrote and illustrated their own ‘messages of hope’ onto a white sports jacket. The uniform is the central image of the campaign that includes videos and photographs shared online and at locations throughout Greece from July 16 to October 10.
The campaign is under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, Religion, and Sports and the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Minister of Health Adonis Georgiades declared “each of us at some point in our lives can experience this and need help,” and Dimitrios Vartzopoulos, Deputy Minister Responsible for Mental Health, summarized the value of the campaign: “The facilities and services exist but the stigma and lack of information keeps beneficiaries away.” Peloponnese Professor Kyriakos Souliotis spotlighted a recent study according to which 1 in 5 young adults are unable to experience any positive emotion, and 17% feel that their life has no meaning. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation is also a lead sponsor, and Global Programs Director Alexandros Kambouroglou emphasized mental health is a central focus of its Global Health Initiative (GHI).
Princess Tatiana Blatnik, THI Ambassador, stated, “today, we come together to shed a light on the other side of strength: not just physical but mental, and the need to speak up, show vulnerability and resilience, and the creation of communities where everyone feels safe to express their emotions and share their stories. Our goal is for everyone to feel secure and access the help they need. Our sincere hope is that, just like the Olympic torch passed from athlete to athlete, we too inspire other teams and partners to join us.” George P. Stamas, THI’s Board President, stated, “The Uniform of Hope campaign is an important effort to tackle the vital issue of mental health in Greece. By encouraging open discussions and breaking down stigmas, we empower people to seek necessary support and contribute to a more empathetic and caring society. Having worked closely with Tatiana Blatnik, the visionary founder of Breathe Hellas, we have witnessed her deep dedication to mental health advocacy. This campaign is a testament to the strength of community and partnership in driving meaningful change and enhancing mental health awareness.”
