TALLAHASSEE, FL – (Friday, Nov. 7, 2025) – Apalachee Center and Bethel Missionary Baptist Church have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing a new partnership known as the Apalachee–Bethel Initiative for Mental Health (AIM). This collaboration is designed to expand access to behavioral health services, raise awareness of mental health resources, and strengthen the well-being of families throughout Tallahassee — particularly within the historic Frenchtown community.

Through AIM, the two organizations will work together to:

  • Increase access to care by bringing Apalachee Center’s services to Bethel’s Christian Academy and the surrounding community
  • Promote education and prevention through Mental Health First Aid training for the Bethel congregation members and Frenchtown residents
  • Launch a public awareness campaign to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviors across Tallahassee
  • Evaluate progress through ongoing community feedback and engagement

“This partnership represents a powerful step toward healing and hope in our community,” said Jay Reeve, Ph.D., CEO of Apalachee Center. “By combining Bethel’s long-standing commitment to its congregation and neighbors with Apalachee Center’s behavioral health expertise, we can better reach people where they are with the support they need.”

“We know that faith and mental health go hand in hand,” said Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes, Pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. “AIM allows us to minister to the mind as well as the spirit, ensuring that our families and youth have access to compassionate, professional care.”

This initiative builds upon years of partnership between the two institutions and complements Apalachee Center’s broader collaborations with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Florida State University College of Medicine. Together, these efforts aim to create an integrated network of care for the Big Bend region.

 

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About Apalachee Center
Founded in 1948, Apalachee Center is the leading behavioral health provider in Florida’s Big Bend region, serving individuals and families across eight counties. Apalachee offers a full continuum of care — from crisis stabilization and inpatient treatment to outpatient, residential, and community-based services — ensuring that all people have access to quality mental health and substance use care, regardless of ability to pay.

About Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
Founded in 1870, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church is one of Tallahassee’s oldest and most historic congregations, dedicated to faith, service, and community empowerment. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes Jr., Bethel serves as a spiritual cornerstone and advocate for social justice, education, and economic development in the Tallahassee community and beyond. Through worship, outreach, and partnership, Bethel remains committed to “Bringing People to Christ, Building the Body of Christ, and Being a Blessing to the Community.”