Mental Health Awareness Month Spotlight Organization: Hopebound

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Healthcare Georgia Foundation has been shining a spotlight on organizations across Georgia that are working to raise awareness of mental health issues, provide services, and advocate for fair and equitable access to mental health care.

The Foundation’s final organization to be highlighted this month is Hopebound, and below you’ll find the contents of our recent interview with founder Christina Guilbeau.

When was Hopebound founded?

Hopebound was founded in August 2019 and we began providing services in June 2020. As a former middle school teacher, I was inspired to address the adolescent mental health crisis after witnessing the struggles my students faced. I also had experienced depression and anxiety as a young person and personally understood how critical it was to have access to effective mental health care.

What is the mission of your organization? What are some of your goals?

Hopebound’s mission is to revolutionize access to mental health care for youth from marginalized communities. We aim to meet under-resourced youth where they are and make high-quality, low-cost mental health support as accessible as possible to them.

What services does your organization provide?

Hopebound provides individual and group counseling to our adolescent clients, and we will soon be providing wellness workshops for the broader community.

Which area(s) of Georgia do you service?

What is your fee structure for services provided?

Our services are offered at low or no cost, and we work individually with each family to determine what they are able to pay based on our sliding scale.

What is the one thing you wish more people understood about mental health and mental health services? What is your hope for the future in terms of mental health access and care?

I wish that more people understood that absolutely nothing is wrong with you if you choose to take care of your mental health, as it is the same as choosing to exercise or maintain basic hygiene. The ability to access effective mental health care is critical and should be a basic human right that all people hold, particularly under-resourced adolescents, who are both more likely to suffer from mental health struggles and less likely to receive the care they deserve.

How can individuals reach out to your organization to learn more about your work?

Visit our website at www.hopebound.com, check us out on Instagram @hopeboundmentalhealth and Twitter @Hopebound_MH, or email us at hello@hopebound.com.