Beacon Spotlight: Mental Health Cooperative (MHC)
About Mental Health Cooperative
The Mental Health Cooperative (MHC) provides accessible, compassionate care to individuals and families across Middle Tennessee. Each month, more than 17,000 people turn to MHC for crisis intervention, counseling, and ongoing support. Their guiding mission is simple yet powerful: We empower individuals and families to live healthier lives. Through engagement in our collaborative approach to behavioral health, physical health, and substance use services, individuals experience hope and live a fulfilling life after diagnosis [1].
Creating Safer Outcomes with Silent Beacon’s Wearable Panic Button
To protect its crisis teams, MHC has partnered with Silent Beacon, equipping nearly 300 employees with wearable panic buttons and connected safety technology. With the ability to instantly call 911, alert supervisors, and share GPS location at the press of a button, Silent Beacon empowers MHC staff to carry out their life-saving work with confidence and peace of mind.
“…Associates utilize the footsteps feature and communicate feeling safer knowing their supervisor knows where they are. Even for those that don’t opt in, they verbalize the appreciation for having the option and are encouraged leadership invests in associate safety.”
Traci Pekovitch, Safety Specialist at MHC
Featured on WSMV News 4: How MHC is Protecting Frontline Mental Health Workers
Mental Health Cooperative’s safety-first initiative with Silent Beacon was recently featured on WSMV News 4 in Nashville, spotlighting how wearable panic buttons are keeping crisis workers safer in the field.
“Probably 90% of their work is actually out in the community, doing home visits. They’re in some locations that are very unfamiliar to them.”
For MHC’s staff, safety isn’t just a workplace concern, it’s essential to providing effective care in the community. With Silent Beacon devices in hand, staff now have a discreet, one-touch way to connect directly with supervisors or even 911. As Pekovitch noted: “Having the Silent Beacon provides an added layer of security and expedited communication in the event of an incident and increases ease of communication no matter where they are.”
That extra layer of security is already changing how employees feel when they head into the field. As reported by WSMV News 4 in Nashville, “Staff can choose whether to wear the panic buttons, but supervisors say it’s already helping people feel safer while on the job.”
For Silent Beacon, this partnership underscores why wearable technology matters most in high-stakes environments. Kenny Kelley, Founder of Silent Beacon, put it simply:
“You’re often meeting people during stressful moments in their lives. With discreet safety tools, you’re able to stay calm, coordinate quickly, and make sure everyone feels supported in their own space.”
Real World Use Case: A Healthcare Panic Button in Action
MHC’s services reach deep into the community, providing crisis intervention in schools and supporting children and families at home. They also offer psychiatric care and partner with law enforcement through criminal justice programs. These service settings are often unpredictable, with staff helping someone in acute distress, addressing substance use challenges, or meeting clients experiencing homelessness.
With Silent Beacon, MHC employees have a reliable safety net. A single button press can discreetly connect them to supervisors or 911, while automatically sharing their GPS location. During a school lockdown, staff can notify their team of their whereabouts without drawing attention. On home visits, they know backup is only seconds away if a crisis escalates. By keeping workers safe with its wearable panic button, Silent Beacon enables MHC to stay focused on its mission: delivering hope and healing where it’s needed most.
Looking Ahead
The Mental Health Cooperative’s commitment to safety innovation not only strengthens its team but also elevates the care it delivers across Tennessee. At Silent Beacon, we are proud to stand alongside MHC in building a safer future, empowering those who dedicate their lives to protecting the well-being of others.
Learn More
Silent Beacon is proud to help protect frontline healthcare and mental health professionals like those at MHC. If your organization is looking for ways to safeguard staff in unpredictable environments, explore our healthcare panic button solutions. Discover how Silent Beacon can help bring peace of mind to your team anywhere they work.
Let Us Walk You Through Our Panic Button System.
References
[1] Mental Health Cooperative. “About Us.” https://mhc-tn.com/about-us/
[2] WSMV News 4. (May 2024). “Mental Health Cooperative enhances worker safety with Silent Beacon technology.” Embedded with permission from WSMV News 4. Available at:
https://www.wsmv.com/video/2025/05/23/panic-buttons-available-mental-health-worker-safety/