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October 2025 Newsletter

There's still time to support the 26th Annual Bell of Hope Celebration!

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Warwick Rittenhouse Square, 220 S 17th St, Philadelphia PA, 19103

If you cannot attend, you can still support the event by making a donation or purchasing a ticket for someone that cannot afford to attend.

DIRECT SERVICES

PeerNet & Delco Outreach Happenings!

Compeer Picnic

MHP's Compeer program in Chester County matches up volunteers from the community in supportive friendships with people who are dealing with mental health issues and could really use a friend. Compeer has served over 350 people over the past 25 years. On September 11th, more than 50 volunteers and friends came out to Compeer's annual picnic that was held at East Goshen Township Park in West Chester, PA. Everyone enjoyed some great food, games, and fellowship.

Poetry Corner

“The Path We Walk: A Recovery Poem” 

by Toni Walker

ADVOCACY

Upcoming Election, November 4th

This year's ballot includes important judicial races for the retention of our state Supreme and positions for Superior, and Commonwealth Courts, which make decisions that impact voting rights, public school funding, and more. Be like our amazing CEO and President and make sure your vote is heard!

Important dates to remember include:

• Polls are open on election day from 7 A.M. - 8 P.M.
• Last day to register to vote: Oct. 20, 2025
• Last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot: Oct. 28, 2025

Have more questions about who/what you are voting on?

The advocacy team has been busy this month with trips to Harrisburg and meeting with legislators across the commonwealth.

PeerNet at DBHIDS Conference

On Sept 30th, members of the PeerNet homeless team presented at DBHIDS conference on social determinants of health. Speaking from his experience as a certified peer specialist, Lafayette shared his story about how his experience in recovery has helped him be a mentor to those going through recovery. He is a testament to all that we stand for at MHP and we are proud he is a member of our team and community.

Showing Up! Further Efforts to Protect Medicaid at Harrisburg

Mental Health Partnerships showed up to Harrisburg on the first day of session to partake in two press conferences urging lawmakers to protect Medicaid and pass the Family Care Act. Two of our staff members, Dan Miller and Hanaa Hawthorne, spoke alongside advocates and elected officials about their personal experiences and the importance of safety net programs like Medicaid.

Women Against Abuse iPledge Campaign

On October 1st, our new Community Benefits Manager and Adult Advocate participated in the 18th Annual Women Against Abuse iPledge® Campaign and Resource Fair at City Hall, marking the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.



At the event, we shared information about our Healthy Minds Chatline and highlighted our wide range of programs and benefits. It was a powerful day of solidarity, as we joined with organizations and nonprofits across Philadelphia committed to ending domestic violence in our region.

Denice B. - 'AHA!' Moments

by Denice Buzzetto

I don't know about you, but I love an AHA moment when things come together! When we just “get it” seemingly, all of a sudden. Now, we know, it's not all of a sudden. Deep down, it's because we have been working hard in recovery. We have all had our share of working through tears and maybe even feeling like it was all uphill. Things I have personally thrown myself into were staying consistent with meds and therapy. There were others, like practicing healthy coping tools until you finally mastered them. Regulating my emotions was also a key component, and it took a long time to conquer that one.

It all came down to facing the image in my mirror and being honest about what I saw. That included what the people I trusted saw, which can be even tougher to hear. Acknowledging unhealthy behaviors and turning them into productive, life-affirming qualities is no small feat. As much as that, people in recovery are the strongest people I have ever met. 

Your list of things to overcome could look very different than mine, and that's perfectly ok. We all have our own course through this maze of getting well.

The beauty of recovery work is that it gifts us along the way with AHA moments. Some are quiet acknowledgements, and some hit us like lightning from the sky! Either way, new life lessons get formed. 

For me, a few powerful AHA moments helped push me forward in recovery. They did not happen overnight, but they did have a significant impact. Here are the top three AHA moments for me:

1. Recognizing depression is a lie and never believing it.  
2. I will not be depressed forever; it always ends, so hang in there a little bit longer.  
3. My diagnosis does not define me.

Everyone's AHA moments will be different. What is most important is noticing them, celebrating them, and letting them remind you of your hard work to get where you are! If you haven't reached your recovery destination yet, keep going! Every step forward, no matter how small, is proof that you can build beyond a diagnosis.  

We would love to hear from you and learn your top 3 AHA moments of recovery—or tell us your recovery goals!!

TRAINING

MHP Training Department Honored with Rebecca Bonner Award

We are proud to share that MHP’s Training Department has been selected to receive the prestigious Rebecca Bonner Award from The Bridge Way School. This honor recognizes our incredible team of educators for their leadership in advancing peer support, destigmatizing mental health, and providing vital training to recovery-focused professionals across Philadelphia and beyond.



The award will be presented at The Bridge Way School’s Annual Breakfast on Nov. 20, 2025, at The Pyramid Club. We are deeply grateful for this recognition of the impact our training department makes every day in the community.

Start your journey today:

https://www.mentalhealthpartnerships.org/the-institute-at-mhp

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Are you ready to turn your passion for mental health into a meaningful career? At Mental Health Partnerships, we believe in building resilience, restoring dignity, and empowering recovery and we need people like you to help make it happen!

Explore open roles and find your place with us.

Visit us on:

www.mentalhealthpartnerships.org

Contact: advancement@mhphope.org | 267-443-3112 | 833 Chestnut Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19107