Learn About Mental Health Cooperative
About Us
Every person deserves compassionate care that meets them where they are.
That belief has fueled MHC since day one. From our first community-based programs in Nashville to today’s statewide network of services, we’ve remained committed to serving individuals and families impacted by serious mental illness — especially those facing the greatest barriers to care.
Our Mission
We empower individuals and families to live healthier lives.
We help people experience hope, healing, and life through a collaborative approach to:
We help people experience hope, healing, and life through a collaborative approach to:
Behavioural health
Physical health
Substance use services
Our Vision
To be a trusted leader in whole-person care through:
Better Health Outcomes
Delivering high-quality, integrated services that support long-term mental and physical well-being.
Equitable Access
Removing financial, geographic, and systemic barriers so that care is truly available to everyone.
Restoring Hope
Creating a compassionate, person-centered experience that fosters dignity, resilience, and healing.
Empowered Workforce
Inspiring our team to innovate, lead, and thrive through meaningful, mission-driven work.
Our Story
1993 — Founded to Meet an Urgent Need
Mental Health Cooperative began with a bold mission: to provide community-based care for adults with serious mental illness. We united three essential services — Urban Case Management, Continuous Treatment Team, and the Mobile Crisis Team — into one coordinated model focused on access, dignity, and real outcomes.
1999 — Expanding to Support Families
Recognizing that lasting change starts early, we expanded services to include children, youth, and families — helping households navigate complex mental health needs together.
Today — Statewide Impact, Deep Local Roots
MHC now serves over 40,000 Tennesseans annually through 12+ offices across the state. We remain one of the few nonprofits in Tennessee solely dedicated to serving people with serious mental illness—especially those affected by poverty, trauma, and limited access to care.
What We Offer at MHC
Explore Services
Our services span the full spectrum of care, including:
Emergency Psychiatric Services
Crisis response and stabilization for individuals experiencing severe psychiatric symptoms.
Adult Mental Health Services
Ongoing therapy, psychiatric care, and case management for adults managing mental health conditions.
Children, Youth & Family Services
Support for children, teens, and families through counseling and early intervention.
Substance Use & Medication Services
Recovery support and medication-assisted treatment for substance use.
Primary Care Services
Integrated physical health care, including check-ups, chronic condition management, and wellness support.
Justice & Outreach Programs
Support for justice-involved individuals and underserved communities.
Our Reach Across Tennessee
Impact Snapshot
Over 40,000
Tennesseans served annually
12 locations
Across Tennessee with local teams in each community
Care and Access for All
Our organization focuses on providing services for all people in the community, including those with TennCare or no insurance at all.
Top Workplace
Recognized by the Tennessean (2019–2023)
Meet Our Leadership
Behind every service is a team of leaders committed to our mission.
Get to know the people guiding MHC with experience, integrity, and compassion.
Get to know the people guiding MHC with experience, integrity, and compassion.
How We Approach Care
Our Philosophy
We believe care should be:
Our Commitment to Respect & Belonging
At Mental Health Cooperative, we believe every person deserves to be met with dignity, compassion, and respect. Healing begins when people feel seen, heard, and valued. That is why we work hard to create an environment where every individual—child, teen, or adult—can feel safe and supported as they take steps toward better health.
For more than 30 years, we have walked alongside Tennesseans through some of life’s hardest challenges, including serious mental illness, substance use, housing instability, and basic needs that are often unmet. Our focus has never wavered: everything we do is centered on helping those we serve get better.
This commitment shows up in practical ways. We provide bilingual staff and interpreter services to make care accessible. We practice culturally responsive care that honors people’s journeys and traditions. We partner with faith leaders and community organizations to extend support in ways that resonate with the people we serve. And we stay by each individual’s side, coordinating mental health, physical health, and everyday supports so that nothing slips through the cracks.
Our values—Connection, Compassion, Innovation, and Integrity—guide us in every interaction. They remind us that recovery is not only about clinical care but also about creating a space of belonging and hope. When people feel welcomed and understood, they are more likely to heal, grow, and build stable, fulfilling lives.
At MHC, our promise is simple: we will honor your journey, walk with you through the complexity, and focus every effort on helping you and your loved ones truly get better.
For more than 30 years, we have walked alongside Tennesseans through some of life’s hardest challenges, including serious mental illness, substance use, housing instability, and basic needs that are often unmet. Our focus has never wavered: everything we do is centered on helping those we serve get better.
This commitment shows up in practical ways. We provide bilingual staff and interpreter services to make care accessible. We practice culturally responsive care that honors people’s journeys and traditions. We partner with faith leaders and community organizations to extend support in ways that resonate with the people we serve. And we stay by each individual’s side, coordinating mental health, physical health, and everyday supports so that nothing slips through the cracks.
Our values—Connection, Compassion, Innovation, and Integrity—guide us in every interaction. They remind us that recovery is not only about clinical care but also about creating a space of belonging and hope. When people feel welcomed and understood, they are more likely to heal, grow, and build stable, fulfilling lives.
At MHC, our promise is simple: we will honor your journey, walk with you through the complexity, and focus every effort on helping you and your loved ones truly get better.
Join Us
Whether you’re looking for support, a mission-driven career, or a way to give back, MHC is here for you.
