National Council for Mental Wellbeing Announces 2025 Advocacy Leadership Award Winners

Washington, D.C. (Oct. 10, 2025) — The National Council for Mental Wellbeing has announced the recipients of its annual Advocacy Leadership Awards: Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.; Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Ore.; and National Council Board Member Jin Lee “Jinny” Palen, Director of the Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs. The awards were presented at a reception Oct. 7 during the National Council’s annual Hill Day, where over 250 advocates gathered to meet with lawmakers and their staffs and urge support for several critical bills.

“In the past year and across their careers, these individuals have each helped advance and improve mental health and substance use disorder care in their communities and nationwide,” said Chuck Ingoglia, MSW, National Council president and CEO. “We are profoundly grateful for their dedication and contributions to expanding access to quality care for everyone.”

• Sen. Bill Cassidy (Legislator of the Year): Sen. Cassidy led this year’s passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which reauthorized resources to help America fight the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis. Elected in 2014, Sen. Cassidy has played a central role in reforming the country’s mental health systems. He is the first physician since 1933 to serve as Ranking Member of the Senate’s influential Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and was elevated to chair in 2025. A cosponsor of the landmark 2016 Mental Health Reform Act, he has introduced dozens of bills improving how mental health and SUD care is funded, integrated and delivered.
• Rep. Andrea Salinas (Legislator of the Year): Rep. Salinas has dedicated her career to public service with a strong focus on expanding access to health care, especially mental health and SUD treatment. As cochair of the bipartisan House Mental Health Caucus, she works continuously to make mental health services and addiction treatment more affordable and accessible in Oregon and across the United States. She has introduced countless bills just this year to expand the behavioral health workforce, increase access to behavioral health services for people on Medicare and Medicaid, and raise awareness of the importance of mental health and SUD issues — including the PEER Support Act. 
• Jin Lee Palen (Advocate of the Year): As Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs, Palen leads with thoughtfulness and vision, supporting the network of caregivers who provide critical mental health and SUD services to the people of Minnesota. She works to strengthen best practices, improve coordination of care and champion better funding and policies to meet community needs. This year, she was instrumental in passing a state law that allows mental health professionals to assess and diagnose SUD, which will dramatically increase access to SUD treatment. She also lends her leadership nationally as chair of the Association Executives Committee of the National Council’s Board of Directors, where her dedication and expertise play a vital role in advancing advocacy and shaping policies that improve lives.