other people fund
no longer just an epic break up line
Elena Kilgore is raising thousands of dollars to help people pay for therapy- and all you have to do to help is buy a cool t-shirt.
I think that we should see other people..
This story sort of starts with a break up, but it ends with Harry Styles.
Intrigued? You’re not alone. Elena Kilgore’s viral tik tok explaining the concept of her Other People Fund t-shirt generated over 600 t-shirt sales and 11,000 new social media followers to her personal account practically in an instant. The funny, heartwarming and clever snippet captures 23-year-old Elena recounting a recent break up as an allegory to explain her new venture, when her and her ex agreed that they should both, ‘see other people’, meaning therapists and counselors.
When Elena sought out therapy at the end of 2020, she was in the midst of unpacking trauma and lucky enough to find a therapist she immediately clicked with. She realized after an initial 30 minute consultation that she would not be able to afford her newly prescribed treatment, causing immense stress and panic in her already vulnerable state. Luckily, Elena was able to work out a sliding scale to afford her new therapist with the administrative staff, but accessibility to therapy and mental health treatment remained at the forefront of her mind.
Elena, who still works in public relations full time despite launching Other People Fund (incorporated business) and Support for the Psyche (non-profit) last year, was reflecting on this unfair yet prevalent reality. It’s so obviously cyclical that finance and mental illness are intertwined, she explained. Although there’s never been a better time to talk about mental health, what’s missing is access and it’s still very much a sign of class and privilege to see a therapist.
The phrase, ‘I think that we should see other people, and by other people I mean therapists’ was inspired by her recent break up, therapy experience, and therefore urge to advocate for therapy accessibility. She wrote down the catchy phrase as a note in her phone for a rainy day, thinking in the back of her mind that it might look nice on a t-shirt. Despite having no fashion experience or inclination, Elena decided to move the project forward. After connecting with a small print shop in Buffalo, New York and working with a close friend to bring her design concept to life, Elena merged her t-shirt vision with her desire to help people pay for therapy. She paid for 100 t-shirts out of pocket, with a preliminary plan to fund 2 people in her life in need of therapy with the proceeds.
the visuals
I told my friend (a talented multimedia artist and painter) I wanted a doodle of two characters that wouldn’t date. A cat and a rat sharing a charcuterie board felt like an effective, funky choice that fit her vision and drove her juxtaposed point across. The cat is even modeled after Meg (the designer’s) pet cat.
Other People Fund Designer: Meg Lubey
reasons to support the other people fund
fun conversation starter
help people pay for therapy
match Harry Styles
With the help of Tik Tok, Elena was able to fulfill hundreds of merchandise orders beyond her 100-shirt test run. She met with lawyers and accountants to develop a business plan, and nurture her spontaneous idea that was quickly accelerating.
My five year plan for Other People Fund was to get Harry Styles in my t-shirt. Elena gleefully explains. I designed it with him and mind- my exact direction to my shirt designer was, ‘something that Harry Styles would wear.’ She never imagined she would reach this lofty goal so early on.
Elena messaged Harry’s stylist on instagram, who was eager to purchase a shirt and tote bag. Even still, she never imagined Harry would actually don her merchandise, until one of her close friends spotted him with the tote online a few weeks later.
style icon approved
Loyal Harry fans were all over it, Elena recalls. It was a surreal moment. The British singer is a well known advocate and supporter of mental health and psychotherapy.
Now Elena has raised over $10,000 from Other People Fund sales, to fund worthy applicants seeking therapy through her non-profit, Support for the Psyche. She pays up to 3 sessions or $300 for therapy- the average therapy session is $90. Elena explains. The cost is enough to deter people from even starting the process in the first place, and then they never get the help they need. Elena’s mission is to alleviate the immediate financial stress of beginning therapy, and allow patients the time to vet therapists and research reimbursement and insurance options.
All you have to do to help is buy a t-shirt, crewneck or tote bag from Other People Fund. 100% of profits assist people seeking therapy- and P.S. more designs are on the way :)
Follow along on Tik Tok and Instagram, and visit otherpeoplefund.com to Support the Psyche today.