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Transforming care, support and access for people living with serious mental and physical health challenges through our

shared lived experience.

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with light skin, brown eyes, freckles, and shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a denim jacket and white t-shirt, against a gray background.

    Yami

    Community Resources Guide
    Orlando

    Yami takes her role as an advocate very seriously. “I like being that voice for people who are tired of screaming.”

    View Bio
  • Close-up of a smiling African American woman with long black hair, tattoos, and jewelry, wearing a black top and white cardigan against a gray background.

    Carla

    Community Resources Guide
    Tacoma

    Since joining firsthand, Carla has felt her once-fierce self-reliance melt into something stronger: shared purpose.

    View Bio
  • A close-up portrait of a woman with long blonde hair wearing a light green tank top and a silver necklace, smiling against a neutral gray background.

    Tonya

    firsthand Guide
    Orlando

    “I used to be a taker- now, I’m a giver.”

    View Bio
  • A woman with curly brown hair and glasses smiling. She wears a plaid shirt over a gray T-shirt against a plain gray background.

    Pi

    firsthand Guide
    Tacoma

    Pi meets people exactly where they are—emotionally, medically, and literally—and refuses to let them slip through the cracks.


We have a world-class team in your community, dedicated to delivering life-changing outcomes for individuals living with serious mental illness. View their bios to learn more about their lived experience.

Meet guides in your community

The firsthand approach

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Build
More Trust

Trust is the foundation to sustainable recovery for every individual.

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Honor
Lived Experience

Personal, lived experience with serious mental illness is meaningful and valuable in mental health care.

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Deliver
Better Care

Individuals living with serious mental illness deserve better care, support and access for their medical, behavioral and social needs.

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A woman with gray hair styled in a mohawk, wearing glasses and a mustard yellow sweater, is smiling and holding hands with an elderly woman with curly brown hair, wearing an orange top, in a room with medical supplies on a counter.
Our Stories

Testimonials:

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  • "My firsthand Guide gave me so much hope when I had none for myself"

    -Individual cared for in Nashville

  • "I really don't know what I would have done without firsthand all these months.

    I hope that others will let firsthand make their lives a little easier!”

    -Individual cared for in Cleveland

  • “Since receiving services from firsthand, my life has changed significantly, and for the better! I am 73 years old and have had two eye surgeries. I can’t see well, and I don’t have transportation. Before firsthand, I wasn’t able to make it to my doctor’s appointments, and sometimes I would go without my prescriptions because they would wait at the pharmacy for weeks before I could arrange for them to be picked up or shipped to me.

    My firsthand Guide is an angel, and a true blessing to me. I couldn’t believe that she could assist me with things like getting groceries, going to the doctor, or stopping by the post office. Not only does she help me get a lot of important things done, but she has really helped me emotionally”.

    – Anita (Individual cared for in Memphis)

  • “firsthand treats me like a person, not my illness. They are reliable and always show up to help with any problems I may be experiencing.

    My firsthand Guide assisted me in finding and securing housing, and helped me receive food and clothing boxes. My ex-wife had used my name for electricity and had an unpaid balance, so my firsthand Guide helped me get a divorce decree in order to get electricity turned on in my name.

    My Community Resources Guide and Health Guide helped connect me with outpatient mental health and rental assistant programs. My Health Guide also discovered my high blood pressure and got me on medication.

    Since meeting the firsthand team, I went from struggling with my mental health and living on my brother’s couch to living in my own apartment. firsthand it has been a helpful and consistent support system for me. My firsthand Guide has been an inspiration and mentor to me, and because of his example, I am considering a career in peer support.”

    – Charles (Individual cared for in Memphis)

  • "I finally feel like I have someone in my corner who really wants to help me, and because of that I feel as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

    My firsthand Guide makes me feel like a friend who he’s known his whole life. By connecting me with local resources, he has helped me keep the lights on in our home, and even makes trips out to the house to make sure we have enough food during tough times.

    firsthand cares about the wellbeing of the individuals they serve and doesn’t treat me like just another number in the system.

    firsthand recognized that I needed help and sent someone to find me and show me the resources that were available to me, that I would have never known about otherwise. firsthand has been a blessing to me and my family”

    -Priscilla (individual cared for in Knoxville, TN)

  • “Since receiving services from firsthand, my life has changed for the better. My firsthand Guide is compassionate and genuine and was easy to open up to. She has taught me coping skills, ways to manage my anxiety and ways to practice self-care. 

    firsthand connected me to resources that helped me pay my past-due rent when I fell behind, and helped me create a resume and apply for a better job. I was hired two weeks later. I met with firsthand’s Nurse Practitioner for an assessment and we discussed a nutrition plan and taking small steps to change my eating habits. I am eating better and exercising more. I appreciate the help and support I've received from firsthand”.

    – Jennifer D (Individual cared for in Nashville)

  • "I didn't realize how much having a few crazy ladies (my firsthand care team) in my life would be this encouraging!

    I love you guys. Don’t leave me, or I will find you and run through your yards singing Randy Travis!!”

    -Deborah (individual cared for in Knoxville)

  • "firsthand is a wonderful organization.

    All the staff are great and knowledgeable. I am proud to be a client. They are truly a reliable resource.”

    -Paula (individual cared for in Dayton)

R2 risk-based, two-year HITRUST certified badge

firsthand has attained a HITRUST r2 certification for its helpinghand platform.

Learn More
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Contact Us:

info@firsthandcares.com

(844) FST HAND
(844) 378-4263