ATHENS – Breathe Hellas – the non-profit founded to fight the stigma surrounding mental health – is one of those multiplying bright spots in Greece, an NGO that is both pioneering – plugging serious gaps in society – and an inspiring collaboration of dedicated staff, generous donors, and devoted volunteers.

The iconic ‘Kalimarmaro’ [Panathenaic] Stadium in Athens was the scene on July 16 of the introduction of its new campaign, ‘The Uniform of Hope.’ Breathe Hellas is collaborating with 28 Greek athletes and coaches – people many youth look up to as heroes and role models – to open the door to a better life for young people by raising their awareness and access to mental health programs.

Breathe Hellas Founder Tatiana Blatnik’s began her remarks with a moving, “thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here today,” and introduced “this very important campaign… this project I have been living and breathing this past four months.”

Corresponding to a challenging period in her life, she noted the process “gave me strength every day, surrounded by message of hope through the openness of our heroes, our athletes” who recorded moving testimonials and messages.

The Uniform of Hope is a collection of sports jackets containing messages of hope written and illustrated by athletes crafted with the help of artists devoted to the cause.

The presenters explained the focus on athletes: “Their lives inspire. Their stories are epic. Their uniforms are so powerful that they unite fans worldwide…The Uniform of Hope transforms the athlete uniform into a new symbol for mental health.”

According to Breathehellas.com: “More than 28 athletes and coaches joined forces to talk about their stories of triumph and heartache, championships as well as failure. They shared the thrilling climb to the peak of the mountain and the bumpy road back down to Earth. It’s the full range of emotion, including the moments of darkness” corresponding to the depression and anxieties felt by many.

Journalist and author Nikos Efstathiou was the Emcee and participants included president of the Hellenic and member of the International Olympic committees Spyros Capralos, Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis, and representatives of The Hellenic Initiative, lead sponsors of the campaign along with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) represented by Global Programs Director Alexandros Kambouroglou.

Georgiades, highlighting mental health care legislation the government is preparing, emphasized “each of us at some point in our lives can experience this and need help.”

Kambouroglou highlighted SNF health initiatives in Greece and abroad like the SNF Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute.

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.