Firsthand

Marie, a firsthand Guide, describes how peer support, empathy, and follow-through helped a transgender woman navigate gender-affirming surgery and recovery. The team provided care coordination, advocacy, encouragement, and accountability.

firsthand uses a peer-led model to support people with serious mental illness, aiming to build trust among individuals who have been underserved or have lost trust in the systems intended to serve them.

firsthand supports Medicaid members with serious mental illness through peer guides and resources to access care, services, and benefits. Its team members have lived experience of serious mental illness.

The company supports individuals with serious mental illness through shared lived experience.

The company describes its commitment to protecting health information privacy under legal standards and outlines individuals’ rights.

Firsthand, a provider of mental illness care, secures **$10 million** of a **$32 million** funding round, as confirmed by public records. The company expands its financial backing amid growing demand for specialized behavioral health services. Details on investor names or allocation remain undisclosed.

Jul 2026Behavioral Health BusinessNews article

Out-Of-Pocket (OOP) explores severe mental illness through a firsthand perspective. The platform highlights personal narratives to provide deeper insights into patient experiences. This approach aims to foster better understanding and empathy in healthcare discussions.

Jun 2026outofpocket.healthNews article

Carelon and firsthand are shifting approaches to **serious mental illness (SMI) care** by adopting a **total cost-of-care model** instead of traditional fee-for-service or managed care. The companies emphasize integrating behavioral health services with physical health and social support to address fragmented care pathways. Their strategy focuses on reducing avoidable costs by coordinating long-term interventions, such as housing and employment assistance, alongside clinical treatment.

Mar 2026Behavioral Health BusinessNews article

Firsthand, a venture-backed startup specializing in serious mental illness care, has laid off most employees in five states due to Medicaid funding instability. The company, founded by CEO Samir [last name omitted], reduces operations amid broader challenges in behavioral health financing. Firsthand previously focused on scaling telehealth services for Medicaid-covered patients.

Mar 2025Behavioral Health BusinessNews article