NEW YORK STATE RECOGNIZES YOUNG ADULT FOR MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY EFFORTS

 

NEW YORK STATE RECOGNIZES YOUNG ADULT FOR MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY EFFORTS

 

Jason Lee Honored for Work in Public Schools to Improve Culturally

Responsive Mental Health Support Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Youth  

 

New York State is honoring Jason Lee with the 2026 ‘What's Great in Our State’ Youth/Young Adult Award, which recognizes those young New Yorkers with lived experience who have taken their personal mental health knowledge and experiences to make a difference in their community. Ada Lin, a senior manager at the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, accepted the award on his behalf during the event in Albany Tuesday, when he was celebrated for his work to address barriers to mental health care experienced by Asian American and Pacific Islander youth. 

 

“Jason’s advocacy for Asian American and Pacific Islander youth is helping to reduce stigma and remove barriers to mental health care that these young people often experience,” Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “By providing a strong voice for these youth and advocating for more equitable care, Jason truly exemplifies the spirit of ‘What’s Great in Our State’ and our efforts to reach young New Yorkers.” 

 

Lee advocates for the mental health needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander youth in New York City’s public schools. An active member of the Asian American Student Advocacy Project under the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, he is an advocate for culturally responsive support, emphasizing that mental well-being extends beyond diagnoses. 

 

Lee engages in public hearings, workshops, and community education to elevate youth voices. He also advocates for smaller class sizes to improve student connection, academic success, and mental health. 

 

Lee’s work addresses key barriers such as a lack of data equity, inclusive curricula, school staff diversity, and safe support spaces. As a planner and facilitator for the AAPI LEAD Youth Conference, he fosters community, leadership, and advocacy among youth.  

 

Lee uses his personal story to advance awareness, influence decision-making, and push for more equitable and effective mental health support in schools. He often focuses on student experiences in policy discussions and to promote systemic change. 

 

“As an Asian American and Pacific Islander youth who has been advocating for more equitable mental health support for students like me, I am honored to receive this award and to be able to move forward in my advocacy journey,” Lee said. “I would like to thank the staff at the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families for supporting me in my advocacy journey and helping me through the process, and I hope to keep moving forward.” 

 

‘What’s Great in Our State’ recognizes individuals and programs that are successfully advancing the cause of children’s mental health in New York State and is celebrated annually during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Established in 2010, the day-long conference in Albany features a ceremony recognizing honorees, workshops, and an art show featuring artwork created by children receiving services from New York State’s mental health system. 

Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation recognizing Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the What’s Great in Our State event and the importance of fostering positive mental well-being among youth. Under her leadership, the state has undertaken key initiatives to improve youth mental health, including expanding Teen Mental Health First Aid training in schools, establishing the Youth Mental Health Advisory Board, funding Youth Safe Spaces, and adopting strong digital and social media protections for young people, including the nation’s first bell-to-bell restrictions on smart phone use during school.

The event is sponsored by the state Office of Mental Health, Department of Health, Department of Education, Office of Children and Family Services and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports. In addition, several children’s mental health advocacy organizations sponsor the event, including the Council on Children and Families, the Early Care & Learning Council, Families Together in New York State, Inc., Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc., National Alliance on Mental Illness - New York State, New York State Network for Youth Success, and Prevent Child Abuse New York.  

 

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