iFred, International Foundation

for Research and Education

on Depression (iFred)

c/o The Field of Hope

PO Box 17598

Baltimore, MD

21297-1598

P. 410.268.0044

F. 443.782.0739


www.ifred.org
www.depression.org
foh@ifred.org


Why a Sunflower?

iFred has chosen the sunflower as the International symbol for depression, and has launched a major ad campaign showing the relationships of sunflowers to depression survivors. 

  • A recent study by Rutger’s, the State University of New Jersey, showed that flowers have an immediate positive impact on happiness (100% of time, both males and females), that they have a long-term positive effect on moods, and that they make intimate connections. The study also said sunflowers are said to enhance alertness, as yellow light waves stimulate the brain.
  • A recent study by Texas A&M also found that placing flowers and plants in offices led individuals to be more creative, better problem solvers, and more productive.
  • A sunflower is the color yellow, often associated with joy and happiness.
  • Sunflowers flourish with sun and light. Humans do as well.
  • Sunflowers and depression both have lifecycles.
  • Sunflowers grow from a small seed and can get bigger, as can a depressive episode when left untreated.

Larry Kleingartner, President of the National Sunflower Association, thinks the relation makes perfect sense “Sunflowers are the most human like flower there is- with the stalk, head, petals, and face.  Humans with depression and sunflowers both have a stigma.  The sunflowers, like humans, need air, water, nutrients, care, and space to flourish.  The both grow towards the light.  There is also the color yellow, associated with happiness’.

Kirsten Straughan, a member of the iFred advisory board, Registered Dietician and
author of Fit Moms, Healthy Family, points out that there are many health benefits to
sunflowers and sees the symbol as a positive connection. "Sunflower seeds and oils are on an upward trend. They are loaded with nutrients such as vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and fiber that assist in good nutrition -- especially in healthy brain functioning."

Lynn Hoelting, Chairman of the Goodland Regional Medical Center Board of Trusteesand General Manager of Mueller Grain in Goodland, Kansas, sees the fit as well.  “There are a lot of health benefits to the sunflower”, he says.  “Sunflower oil, NuSun, that avoids hydrogenating and is low in does not have transfats.  Sunflower oil is the 4th largest consumed oils in the world.  Companies such as ConAgra, Cargill, Proctor and Gamble and Pepsico are big producers / users of the sunflower.  They are all over our hospital in Goodland, we have sunflower events yearly, and even recently erected a 40 foot tall painting of the Van Gogh sunflowers on an easel in our town.  If you want to eliminate the stigma associated with depression, the sunflower seems the sure way to do it.”