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Recognizing and celebrating Mental Health Partnerships on the 70th Anniversary of the organization’s founding.
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WHEREAS, Mental Health Partnerships (“MHP”), one of the oldest peer support organizations in the United States, was founded on March 29, 1951, when seven committed and hopeful Philadelphians organized themselves, for the “purpose of promoting public interest in the problems of mental health and in their solution; and
WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, the organization was incorporated as the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, From its earliest years, MHP has sought to educate the public and normalize conversations around mental health - efforts which later evolved into patients’ rights advocacy, the development of community need-oriented programs, and a focus on peer support as a model of care and recovery, in recognition of the value of lived experience; and
WHEREAS, Today, MHP’s neighborhood-based Recovery Learning Centers, family peer support programs and groups, and mobile peer and targeted case management teams are reaching the most vulnerable populations in and around Philadelphia, with trained, certified and dedicated peer specialists at their core, incorporating lived experience and therapeutic and wellness techniques, in order to best support individuals and families on their journeys to recovery; and
WHEREAS, Mental Health Partnerships is also a nationally recognized trainer of certified peer support professionals; and
WHEREAS, Seven decades after its founding, MHP continues to be an essential partner and advocate in recovery and healing to thousands of people who struggle with mental health and addiction challenges; and
WHEREAS, We recognize MHP’s enduring legacy and long-standing commitment to promoting the well-being of people in recovery, through innovative peer-centered advocacy, teaching, learning, and service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia, Does hereby recognize and celebrate Mental Health Partnerships on the 70th Anniversary of the organization’s founding.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Mental Health Partnerships as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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