Bloomington, Indiana – Two of the nation’s largest and most respected nonprofit behavioral health organizations, Brightli and Centerstone, have announced a groundbreaking plan to merge, with the aim of creating the largest nonprofit provider of mental health and substance use disorder care in the country. This merger, currently in its due diligence phase, is poised to revolutionize the mental health and substance use care landscape, impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the United States. With an anticipated closing in November 2025, the combined organization is projected to serve a quarter of a million individuals annually, solidifying its place at the forefront of mental health care in America.
Brightli, based in Springfield, Missouri, currently operates with a team of more than 6,000 employees at over 220 locations spread across five states. The organization encompasses a wide range of subsidiaries and affiliates, including prominent names like Adult & Child Health, Burrell Behavioral Health, Clarity Healthcare, Firefly Supported Living & Employment Services, and Places for People, among others. Centerstone, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, operates in six states and employs 4,300 people, while also maintaining a global network of over 1,500 providers. The organization’s commitment to veteran care and its Institute for Clinical Excellence and Innovation further underscores its expansive reach. Together, the two organizations have a combined revenue exceeding $1 billion.
For both Brightli and Centerstone, this merger presents an opportunity to strengthen their impact on behavioral health care, a sector that is facing increased demand and complex challenges. By combining their resources, expertise, and reach, the two organizations will be able to enhance the quality of care they provide, serve more people, and improve health outcomes across the country. The merged entity will have an extensive network of more than 360 outpatient, inpatient, and residential locations, spanning nine U.S. states. In addition, clinical staff will be serving mental health needs in over 1,500 K-12 schools, further extending their footprint in communities nationwide.
“This partnership represents an incredible opportunity to shape the future of care,” said C.J. Davis, CEO of Brightli. “Across Brightli’s history, our organization and affiliates have led more than 25 successful mergers and affiliations across our network. We have seen firsthand the power of joining forces to expand access and improve outcomes. We share Centerstone’s deep commitment to compassion, connection, and measurable impact. Together, we’re not just growing. We’re building a stronger, more sustainable system of care that breaks down barriers and saves lives.”
David C. Guth, Jr., CEO of Centerstone, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the deep-rooted culture of growth within the organization. “Growth is deeply embedded in Centerstone’s culture, driving our mission to reach more people in need of mental health and substance use disorder services,” Guth said. “Since 1997, we have completed 20 affiliations and mergers expanding our footprint and amplifying our impact while preserving local expertise and care delivery. This partnership not only positions us to more effectively navigate the changing behavioral health landscape, but it also helps us achieve our goal of providing more services to more people in need.”
The merger of Brightli and Centerstone also comes at a critical time for the mental health sector, which is experiencing unprecedented demand for services. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health providers across the country are grappling with a surge in the number of individuals seeking care. At the same time, many organizations face ongoing workforce shortages, shifting regulatory requirements, and stagnant or shrinking reimbursements. These challenges have created a difficult environment for smaller providers who are unable to meet the increasing need for services. The merger between Brightli and Centerstone aims to address these issues head-on by pooling resources and expertise, allowing the organizations to operate at a larger scale and reach more individuals in need of care.
Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, praised the merger as a bold and innovative step toward strengthening the nation’s behavioral health system. “The merger of Brightli and Centerstone represents a bold and forward-thinking step in strengthening our nation’s behavioral health system,” Ingoglia said. “By combining resources, expertise, and innovative approaches to care, these organizations are poised to not only expand access, but they’re also setting a new standard for how high-quality, community-based mental health and substance use treatment can be delivered at scale. This partnership is a unique opportunity to enhance efficiency, reduce the overall cost of care, and ultimately create a more sustainable model for behavioral health delivery.”
One of the most significant benefits of the merger is the ability to enhance the delivery of care across the country, ensuring that the right treatments are provided to the right people at the right time. Both organizations have long been committed to the use of science-based care, data, and measurable outcomes, and the merger will allow them to further refine and expand these approaches. By pooling their resources and expertise, the combined organization will be able to innovate and advance its care delivery, reaching more people in need of services and improving the quality of care offered.
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Despite the scale of the merger, Brightli and Centerstone have emphasized that patient care will not be disrupted. Both organizations have assured their patients that they will continue to see the same providers they know and trust, and that there will be no interruption in services as the merger progresses. This commitment to continuity of care is vital, as both organizations have built strong, trusted relationships with their patient populations over the years.
As the merger continues through the due diligence phase and seeks approval from regulatory and accreditation agencies, both Brightli and Centerstone are focused on ensuring that the process is as seamless as possible for both their staff and their patients. While the merger is still in the early stages, the potential for transformative change is clear. By coming together, these two organizations are positioning themselves to lead the charge in reshaping mental health and substance use disorder care, both in the U.S. and internationally.
For the millions of Americans who struggle with mental health and substance use issues, this merger represents hope for improved care, expanded access, and more innovative solutions. It is a significant step toward addressing one of the most pressing issues facing our society today: the need for accessible, high-quality behavioral health services. The combined efforts of Brightli and Centerstone will undoubtedly make a meaningful impact on the lives of many, helping to break down barriers to care and build a stronger, more sustainable mental health system for the future.
