Loneliness, anxiety, depression, stress, the effects of ill-health and deep feeling of loss are some of the modern day issues that Hallmark has highlighted where a greeting card, if it hits the right tone for the sender and the recipient, can really help.
The publisher embarked on a research project to map the nation’s mental and physical well-being before translating these findings into a special greeting card collection, entitled Here for You.
As well as talking to consumer focus groups, Hallmark has also reached out to specialist charities and lobbying bodies for their input, which is reflected in the 16 emotive greeting card designs.
“The statistics highlight just how sadly common issues of loneliness, mental health, anxiety and stress are in the UK,” said Tamsyn Johnston-Hughes, marketing business partner of Hallmark. “
Among the facts which stood out in this ongoing project are:
* 20% of the older population is mildly lonely and another 8-10% is intensely lonely. (Source: Campaign to End Loneliness)
* An estimated eight million (35%) of men in the UK feel lonely at least once a week, while for nearly three million (11%), it’s a daily occurrence. More than one in 10 men also say they are lonely, but would not admit it to anyone. (Source: Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness)
* In England, 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week. (Source: Mind)
* About 15 million people in England have a long-term health condition. (Source: The King’s Fund)
* Young adults spend more than 6 hours a day ‘stressed out.’ (Source: Youth UK)
* 1 in 6 young people experience an anxiety condition as the pressure to be ‘where you think you should be’ at the age of 30 kicks in. (Source: Age and Ageing)
The new Hallmark Here For You collection hope to help people say what’s in their heart when words can be hard to find.
“The cards cover a number of situations from illness and loss, to tough times to just reaching out to someone. It really is a collection with the sole purpose of telling close friends and family that you are there for them, in a way that relates to what they are going through,” explains Tamsyn. “The majority of the cards cover matters that are incredibly personal and very often private with just the closest people around them knowing what is happening or happened.”
PG columnist and respected retailer, David Robertson, md of JP Pozzi mentions the merits of the Here For You collection in his column in the current March edition of Progressive Greetings in which he shares his own personal loss of his father recently. (see PG March pages 46-47).
Top: Designs from the Here For You collection that offers support to those going through a tough time.
