Honoring the Carters’ Legacy in Mental Health Advocacy
Reflect on the enduring legacy of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter through an in-depth look at their groundbreaking efforts in mental health advocacy, policy change, and the promotion of compassionate care.
Honoring the Carters’ Legacy in Mental Health Advocacy
During his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in 2002, President Jimmy Carter shared a powerful message: “We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changes — and we must.” This ethos guided not only his presidency but also his remarkable post-presidency work, with alleviating suffering as a central goal. Together with Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Carters made monumental strides in the mental health arena, creating a legacy that continues to inspire and transform lives.
Reflecting on the Carters’ influence, Dr. Jeannine Lisitski, President and CEO of Mental Health Partnerships, shared:
“President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter were trailblazers in advancing mental health awareness and services. Their compassion and advocacy set a standard that organizations like Mental Health Partnerships continue to follow. We mourn President Carter’s passing and honor his legacy of transforming mental health into a global priority.” — Dr. Jeannine L. Lisitski
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter dedicated much of her public service career to mental health advocacy. President Carter supported her work wholeheartedly, frequently participating in mental health symposiums hosted at the Carter Center. On several occasions, President Carter personally greeted participants at these events. His gracious, encouraging, and generous demeanor left a lasting impression on those he met, including Mental Health Partnerships (MHP) staff.
The Carter Center served as a platform for national and global influence in peer mental health programs, creating opportunities for organizations like MHP to expand their reach. Former MHP President and CEO Joseph Rogers played a pivotal role in advancing peer programs with the Carters’ support, which contributed to the establishment of peer mental health initiatives across the country and beyond.
One memorable connection came in the late 1990s, when Susan Rogers, then Director of Special Projects at MHP, spoke at the Carter Center during a mental health symposium. Following her presentation, Susan received a personal phone call from Mrs. Carter, inviting her to join a mental health policy group that Mrs. Carter was forming. The group met annually at the Carter Center for several years.
Susan noted that Mrs. Carter’s leadership style was deeply personal; she made it a point to speak individually with every participant at these meetings. Susan remembers her as soft-spoken, sweet, and incredibly dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the mental health field.
“President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter were trailblazers in advancing mental health awareness and services. Their compassion and advocacy set a standard that organizations like Mental Health Partnerships continue to follow. We mourn President Carter’s passing and honor his legacy of transforming mental health into a global priority.” — Dr. Jeannine L. Lisitski
The Carters’ enduring commitment to mental health advocacy reminds us that change is possible when compassion and collaboration lead the way. At MHP, we remain deeply grateful for their contributions and continue to draw inspiration from their groundbreaking work.
A special thank you to Susan Rogers for co-authoring this piece and for her tireless advocacy in the mental health field.
Photo caption: Joseph Rogers (Former President & CEO of Mental Health Partnerships), Left
Susan Rogers (Former Director of Special Projects), Right
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