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Since 1963, we have been a trusted resource for individuals navigating mental health challenges.

Through compassionate support and personalized services, we help people build confidence, rediscover their sense of worth, and foster meaningful connections. Our programs empower participants to embrace a more positive outlook, enhance their quality of life, and engage more fully with their community.

If you’d like to learn more about how we’re making a difference or explore ways to get involved we’d love to hear from you.

228-864-6274
info@msmentalhealth.org
4803 Harrison Circle, Gulfport, MS 39507

Welcome to the Mental Health
Association of South Mississippi

Since 1963, the Mental Health Association of South Mississippi has been a steadfast advocate for individuals navigating mental health challenges. Our mission is to promote mental wellness and recovery by offering compassionate support and vital resources to those in need.

We serve individuals facing a range of challenges through a person-centered approach including mental illness, substance use disorders, and being unsheltered .

Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient community.

One life, one story, one step at a time.

Impact Stories

Our programs are about helping others at a low point in their life.

For much of his life, James has battled the weight of depression and anxiety. These internal struggles often left him feeling like he had to keep moving—never quite able to settle or find peace. After a difficult divorce in 2010, he found himself living between Florida, Mississippi, and Texas, searching for something more stable, something that felt like home.

Despite the emotional challenges he faced, he always spoke highly of the support he received from his family. During a period living in Texas, he recognized a deep need for mental health support and enrolled in a 13-month residential drug and alcohol recovery program—even though he wasn’t struggling with substance use. He hoped the structure and resources might provide the mental clarity and support he so desperately needed. After six weeks, he realized the program wasn’t meeting his needs, and he reached out to his sister in Mississippi. She didn’t hesitate. she came and brought him back home.

He lived with his sister and mother for a few years, continuing to search for the help he needed. In April 2024, he made a life-changing decision. He asked his sister to drop him off at Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, determined to seek out mental health services and rebuild his life, even if it meant experiencing homelessness.

That determination led him to connect with mental health at Coastal Family Health Center immediately and then our PATH program in October 2024, where he began working with case manager Bobbie Singletary. Together, they built a strong and trusting relationship. Bobbie helped him navigate housing applications and helped assist with other necessities he may have needed while being unhoused. During this time, he also utilized our other program at the Opal Smith Drop-In Center, which provided a safe space and essential support.

Bobbie and Liz (our other Outreach case manager) worked diligently to find the right housing option that would meet all his needs and when the time came, the community came together in an incredible way. A local donor, Jeff O’Keefe, provided a couch. Community Action Agency assisted with deposits. Open Doors furnished a bed. These generous contributions helped transform an apartment into a true home.

Through it all, James has shown remarkable strength and resilience. His gratitude for those who have supported him is evident in every interaction. Watching his journey unfold—his growing confidence, his renewed hope—has been nothing short of inspiring.

This story is a testament to what can happen when compassionate support, community collaboration, and individual determination come together. We are honored to have walked alongside him on this journey.