The term Full Service Partnership is at the heart of the MHSA. Mental Health providers work with an identified Partner providing a full range of services. The term "partnership" is used consistently to refer broadly to shared responsibilities of the consumer and her/his family, care givers, providers, and community.

The MHSA guiding principles describe the intent of full service partnerships in terms of the following goals:

Significant increases in the level of participation and involvement of clients and families in all aspects of the public mental health system including but not limited to: planning, policy development, service delivery, and evaluation.

Increases in consumer operated services such as drop-in centers, peer support centers, warm lines, crisis services, case management programs, self-help groups, family partnerships, parent/family education, and consumer provided training and advocacy services.

Full implementation of an approach to services through which each client and her/his family, as appropriate, participates in the development of an individualized plan of services determined by the individual's goals, strengths, needs, race, culture, concerns, and motivations.