On this page
Hope can be powerful. It can affect how we feel about the future. And it can influence every area of our well-being. On this page, Good2Talk collaborates with The Knowledge Institute to share information about feelings of hope and ways to cultivate more hope in your daily life. You can find a link to The Knowledge Institute’s website to read their full resource about hope at the end of this page.
Experiencing feelings of hope can be a part of your overall wellness. Having a sense of hope can help encourage you to:
- achieve your goals (e.g. at school, at work, etc.)
- adapt to change
- build self-worth
- feel more confident / motivated
- overcome obstacles
- prioritize your mental health and well-being
According to Statistics Canada, people across the country have been struggling with feelings of hope. Factors in / out of your control might contribute to your capacity to nurture hope (tap for information from Kids Help Phone), including:
- access to social supports
- experiences with racism, prejudice and / or discrimination
- financial / economic situation(s)
- quality / meaningful relationships with people
- what’s happening in the world (e.g. the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, etc.)
If you’re struggling with barriers to hope and / or your sense of hope, you can try some coping strategies. You can try to:
- connect with / build relationships with people (e.g. friends, classmates, Elders, family / community members, role models, etc.)
- explore self-care activities / hobbies (e.g. gardening, colouring, dancing, reading, etc.)
- focus on what you can do / control (as opposed to what you can’t)
- get involved in your community(ies)
- practise mindfulness / self-awareness
- research supports available to you on and off campus
No matter how you’re feeling about hope, you’re not alone. To discover more information about hope and ways to promote it in your life, you can explore The Knowledge Institute’s website.
You might notice The Knowledge Institute uses different language, style, processes, etc. than Good2Talk. You can always use the words, resources and supports that work best for you.
Are you interested in seeking support for feelings of hope and / or your mental health as a post-secondary student? You can contact a professional counsellor or volunteer crisis responder 24/7. We’re Good2Talk whenever you need us!
