The idea to start the HiddenHugs Project was driven by personal, painful experiences that many people throughout the world have experienced as a result of mental illness. We want to bring more positivity into the world and bring a smile to faces when it's needed most!
For centuries, mental illness has been regarded as more of a "mutation" than an actual "illness". For these reasons, many people who experience mental illness are afraid to share their experiences. People who would otherwise play supporting roles such as friends and family members are often embarrassed by their connection to those with mental illness. We hope that we can play a part in changing the stigma against mental illness. It is often viewed and treated separately from physical illness, while many of the symptoms go hand-in-hand. For this reason, we also recognize the pain and heartache that also comes along with physical illness.
Why are they called "Hidden" Hugs? We have placed these messages in locations where they will be unexpectedly discovered....and hopefully bring a smile to someone's face when they find it.
Hidden Hugs are being distributed around the world. These messages contain positive words of inspiration, motivation, love and some good ole laughs! Most of our messages are created by repurposing used paper products such as greeting cards, snack boxes, and more.
We have distributed thousands of Hidden Hugs around the globe with a variety of messages. We have added the hashtag #HiddenHugs to each message. Feel free to share a photo or the story about your find on social media with the hashtag #hiddenhugs so that other people can enjoy what you've found.
If you are interested in contributing to the distribution of Hidden Hugs in your location, please contact us!