The Pastoral Institute is prioritizing access to mental health services
by expanding its donor-supported Helping Other People Endure (HOPE) Fund with a new campaign
called “Give HOPE”. The HOPE Fund enables cost-burdened members of Chattahoochee Valley
communities to receive counseling and wellness services. “Give HOPE” invites community members to
become monthly donors in an effort to remove access barriers to mental healthcare – an area of rising
need, particularly in Georgia.

“When our team read the 2023 State of Mental Health in America report, we were floored. Georgia
ranks 49th in the nation for access to mental healthcare, based on factors that include both the
accessibility of insurance and the availability of mental health providers and treatment,” explains
Pastoral Institute Director of Advancement Mary Johnson. “We believe every person deserves access
to vital mental health resources, and HOPE Fund supporters are the heart of this vision.”
Each day, the Pastoral Institute’s dedicated team of professionals provide counseling and education
services to members of our community as they tell their stories, gain hope, and become stronger. PI
monthly HOPE donors partner in this work to ensure consistent care for individuals and families facing
unexpected financial challenges.

Dr. Laura Haley Creel, licensed psychologist and team lead at the Pastoral Institute, has observed a
growing need for this care firsthand, “Mental health resources are incredibly limited, yet we know how
important it is for people to reach out and seek care in order to develop the tools they need to take the
next steps in their recovery and healing. The frequency and duration of care that people may need can
vary greatly and often translates to a significantly higher financial burden for individuals coping with
more severe conditions.”

The Pastoral Institute’s effort to attract 100 new monthly donors during its “Give HOPE” campaign is a
vital step in changing the access landscape for mental healthcare in the Chattahoochee Valley. To join
the HOPE fund giving family, please visit the PI booth at Market Days on Broadway this Saturday, May
20th or visit: www.pastoralinstitute.org/HOPE