Q&A with Our New CEO: Dr. Jeannine L. Lisitski’s Inspiring Journey and Vision for Mental Health Partnerships
Discover the inspiring journey and visionary leadership of MHP’s new CEO, Dr. Jeannine L. Lisitski, through a candid Q&A that reveals her commitment to building a community where everyone can flourish.
Q&A with Our New CEO: Dr. Jeannine L. Lisitski’s Inspiring Journey and Vision for Mental Health Partnerships
Date: July 18, 2024
Author: Kurdt Allan
We are delighted to introduce Dr. Jeannine L. Lisitski as the new CEO and President of Mental Health Partnerships. To help you get to know her better, check out this insightful Q&A session where she shares her journey, vision, and the impactful moments that have shaped her career.
Q: What personal mission aligns you with Mental Health Partnerships’ vision?
Dr. Lisitski: “My personal mission is well aligned with the vision of Mental Health Partnerships, which is: a community where people flourish, live the lives they imagine for themselves, and engage in the promotion of mental well-being.”
Q: How did you start your career in social work?
Dr. Lisitski: “I started my career in social work after attending law school for one semester and realizing that the advocacy I wanted to focus on was more about alleviating suffering and oppression through direct service work rather than in a courtroom. I was volunteering at a women’s center, and they offered me a full-time job. That’s when I began providing direct counseling and case management at a domestic and sexual violence services organization.”
Q: Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that influenced your path?
Dr. Lisitski: “I was once deciding between jobs, one involving street outreach with people experiencing homelessness. One day while shopping, I saw a man struggling with his cart—visibly homeless—and I felt a deep anguish. Time seemed to stop. I describe it as hearing the screaming of angels. That moment clarified my purpose.”
Q: How did your experience with Project HOME shape your advocacy work?
Dr. Lisitski: “While riding with outreach teams one evening, we were asked to help a man who had been released from prison and left outside a shelter. He was extremely frail. The shelter staff told us the ambulance had refused him because he needed hospice, not a hospital. I called the ambulance back and insisted they take him. I experienced the same ‘time stopping’ sensation again. Eventually, he was placed in hospice and reunited with his family before passing. We later advocated for accountability, and an investigation followed.”
Q: What have you learned from working with people experiencing homelessness?
Dr. Lisitski: “Some of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned came from people experiencing homelessness. I saw how relationships can bridge the way to healing and recovery. Working alongside people with lived experience has deeply shaped how I develop programs and advocate for systemic change.”
Q: How do your experiences inform your leadership at Mental Health Partnerships?
Dr. Lisitski: “My journey in social work and mental health advocacy has been guided by moments of profound clarity and deep empathy. These experiences fuel my commitment to creating a community where everyone can flourish and live the life they imagine for themselves.”
We are confident that Dr. Jeannine L. Lisitski’s leadership brings new energy and vision to Mental Health Partnerships. Her dedication and profound empathy will be instrumental in driving our mission forward and creating a community where everyone can thrive.
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Transforming Lives, Strengthening Communities
From peer-led recovery programs to statewide advocacy and education, our work touches thousands of lives every year. These numbers reflect our deep commitment to accessible, compassionate, and person-centered mental health support across Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
8,480
individuals and families served
34
active programs across the region
1,106
Peer Specialists trained each year
5,801
people supported through direct services
3000+
individuals reached monthly through homeless outreach
1,573
engaged in community advocacy
Real Stories of Hope and Recovery
We’re here to champion every journey to wellness, offering unwavering support and transformational advocacy. Together, we foster resilience and recovery—so everyone can thrive and live their fullest life in the community, free from barriers to mental health care.
"I'm so grateful for the community that's here and the people that I get to work with in a way that they inspire me every day."
"Every experience I've had with MHP thus far has been great, from the training to being able to get support, a community, sponsorships to go places I never thought I'd go."
"MHP has given me so much, I want to give back."
"Give you your own purpose, you know, just like doing something more. Just a good feeling for me. Now I can be productive."
"MHP has a long history of being a really trusted and reliable resource for peer specialists.
So these experiences already live within your walls."
"The incredible empowerment and the impact that peers have in the field of mental health."
"There's something really, really powerful that happens when you're connecting with someone who's sitting across from you and says, you know, I see you and I hear you. Because I've been there."
"...and just that little click. Wow, it's so powerful just to have somebody who understands exactly how you feel, because we can sympathize all day, but to have somebody else in the room with me, to say, I've done it too, I've experienced that too, allows for a bond that goes beyond words."
"That opened me up to talk to other people so I could coach them and have them get the aha moment again. I did it and I'm glad that I got into new ways of thinking."
"I'm able to be helpful just to know that, like, all that hard work I put through actually paid off."
"And I hope that everybody would get the opportunity to connect with that organization"
"At Mental Health Partnerships. Together..."
"Together..."
"Together..."
"Together...we build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"We build hope."
"We build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"Period!"
Guiding Principles for Empowerment and Growth
At the heart of our mission lies a steadfast commitment to core values that shape every aspect of our work. These values—rooted in hope, empowerment, and respect—guide us in fostering environments where individuals can thrive, exercise self-determination, and pursue lifelong learning. By embracing a holistic, non-judgmental, and culturally aware approach, we empower individuals to achieve their full potential and contribute to their communities.
Together, We Build Hope
At Mental Health Partnerships, we are dedicated to fostering hope and resilience. Our mission is to create a supportive environment where individuals can regain control of their mental health and live fulfilling lives. We offer personalized care that aligns with your unique needs and helps you connect with a community that cares.
Real Stories of Hope & Gratitude
Hear directly from individuals whose lives have been touched by our programs and services. Whether it’s case management, family support, or peer-led guidance, these stories showcase the power of compassionate care and unwavering belief in every person’s potential for recovery and growth.
Let’s Take the Next Step Together
At MHP, we understand that the journey to mental wellness can feel overwhelming. With peer-led support, proven resources, and a warm, caring community, we’re here to guide you through every step—so you never have to walk this path alone.