A Woman Funded 1,300 Hours of Therapy for Others, With Help from Harry Styles

Elena Kilgore turned a personal challenge into a growing movement. With support from Harry Styles and a creative fundraising idea, she has helped fund more than 1,300 therapy sessions, making mental health care more accessible to those in need.

Elena Kilgore saw a problem and decided to act. Mental health care can be expensive, and many people struggle to afford therapy. Kilgore wanted to change that.

Her idea grew into a project that has now funded more than 1,300 therapy sessions.

Turning an Idea Into Action

Kilgore was 23 when she began thinking about how to make therapy more accessible. At the time, she was seeing a therapist herself. While someone helped cover her costs, she noticed many of her friends could not afford the same support.

That realization pushed her to find a solution.

She created "Other People Fund," a project designed to raise money for therapy. Instead of asking for direct donations, she took a different approach. She designed and sold merchandise, including bags and shirts.

A Message That Resonates

The concept behind the merchandise was simple but effective. Her tagline reads, "I think we should see other people — and by other people, I mean therapists."

The designs feature unexpected pairings, such as a rat and a cat or the sun and the moon. These images reflect relationships that do not work, reinforcing the idea behind the message.

"I was like, 'Let me put that on a shirt,'" Kilgore said.

The combination of humor and honesty helped the idea connect with people.

Growing Impact

Since launching in 2021, Kilgore’s project has continued to grow. She has raised money for more than 1,300 therapy sessions, and the number keeps increasing.

All proceeds go toward her nonprofit, "Support for the Psyche." The organization also accepts direct donations to expand its reach.

Those who receive financial support typically get an average of three therapy sessions covered. This support offers a starting point for people who might not otherwise have access to care.

A Connection to Harry Styles

Kilgore had a clear vision for her merchandise. While working with a graphic designer, she said, "I don't want it to be, like, a 2000s graphic tee. I want it to be something Harry Styles would wear. It's an actual note that I told her."

That idea eventually led her to reach out to Harry Styles’s stylist, Harry Lambert. She believed Styles might appreciate the message, as he has been vocal about supporting therapy.

Her outreach paid off.

"I had a DM, a message on my website, an email, all of these messages… it was Harry Lambert and he said, 'Do you ship to the U.K.? I want to buy a shirt. How do we get a shirt? This is awesome.'," she revealed.

Lambert insisted on paying in full, which Kilgore noted is not always common with celebrity purchases. She shipped two T-shirts and a tote bag.

The Power of Visibility

A few months later, Styles was seen carrying the tote bag. That moment had a major impact on the project.

Sales quickly increased. The exposure led to $40,000 in revenue, which funded hundreds of therapy sessions.

Kilgore credits Styles for helping bring attention to the cause. His support helped expand the reach of her work in a meaningful way. "I think it's awesome that we've kind of moved toward a conversation of the importance of therapy," she shared.

A Broader Commitment to Giving

Styles has a history of supporting charitable causes. His tour, "Love on Tour," raised $6.5 million for charity.

The funds supported organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Black Voters Matter Fund, REVERB, Every Town for Gun Safety, and Save the Children, among others.

His involvement with Kilgore’s project aligns with that pattern of giving.

Elena Kilgore’s idea shows how creativity can drive real change. By combining design, humor, and purpose, she created a sustainable way to fund mental health care.

With support from Harry Styles, her project reached a wider audience and helped even more people. Her work highlights the growing importance of accessible therapy and the impact one idea can have when it gains momentum.