Transforming care through the power of lived experience

At firsthand, we know what it’s like to struggle and to fall through the cracks, because we’ve been there. But we also know what it takes to stand back up. We’re committed to helping individuals living with serious mental and physical health challenges to live their best lives. 

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OUR TEAM

  • Close-up of a smiling young woman with freckled skin, light brown and blonde hair, wearing a denim jacket and a white shirt against a gray background.

    Yami

    STRIVE Specialist


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

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  • Felix

    Manager, Community Operations
    Detroit

    Felix believes that success in this work comes from making it about the individuals being served, and about the colleagues showing up alongside you.

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  • A smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a mint green tank top and a silver necklace, against a plain gray background.

    Tonya

    firsthand Guide
    Orlando

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

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  • Navi

    Navi

    Health Guide
    Washington

    For Navi, the peer support model is what makes firsthand different. She watches every day as her teammates with lived experience of serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder build trust with individuals in ways no clinical credential can.

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  • Patrick

    Patrick

    VP of Peer Services

    Patrick lives with bipolar disorder, and his path to where he is now wasn't a straight one.

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firsthand is in your corner whenever you need us, listening, helping connect you with services, and being a resource you can trust.

Consider us your health buddy.

The firsthand approach

Zachary and individual hugging

Build
More Trust

Trust is the foundation to sustainable recovery for every individual.

Two women are sitting outdoors engaged in a conversation. The woman on the left has dark skin, braided hair, and is wearing sunglasses and a dark T-shirt that says "fist hand". The woman on the right, whose face is not visible, has light skin and wavy reddish-brown hair. They are sitting at a small table with brochures or flyers on it. The background includes a building with a window and a door, and a rake leaning against the wall.

Honor
Lived Experience

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

Guide checking vitals for individual

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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Real Stories from Our Community

At firsthand, we believe real change happens when people with lived experience come together to support each other. Our blog shares those stories, chronicling journeys of resilience, recovery, and hope.

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The Power of firsthand Experience

  • Item 10

    “I once again feel love, receive love, and have a reason to wake up every morning.”

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

  • “I really don’t know what I would have done without firsthand all these months.”

  • “Since receiving services from firsthand, my life has changed significantly, and for the better. Before firsthand, I wasn't able to make it to doctor’s appointments and had trouble getting my prescription medications.”

  • “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.”

  • “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 has been a helpful and consistent support – and my Guide has been an inspiration and mentor.”

  • “My firsthand Guide makes me feel like a friend. By connecting me with local resources, he has helped me keep the lights on in our home, and even makes trips to the house to make sure we have enough food.”

  • “Firsthand recognized that I needed help and sent someone to find me and show me the resources that were available that I would never have known abut otherwise.”

  • Item 9

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

R2 risk-based 2-year HITRUST certified badge

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

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