Albany, NY – An Albany County mental health attorney – Sheila Shea – has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s ‘What’s Great in our State 2017’. The annual event, held May 2 in Albany, celebrates the people and programs making a difference in the field of children’s mental health.

Sheila is the director of the Third Judicial Department of the Mental Hygiene Legal Service, where she provides legal services to individuals with mental health and developmental disabilities.  Sheila was recognized for her extraordinary dedication to protecting the lives of New York State’s most vulnerable children and youth.

“Attorney Shea is a shining example of a tireless mental health advocate and attorney. She works tirelessly to provide a voice for children and does so with extreme compassion and humility,” said New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Marie T. Sullivan. “We thank Sheila and each of our 5 honorees for their hard work and commitment to children’s mental health.”

The Mental Hygiene Legal Service (MHLS) represents individuals with mental health or development disabilities in judicial or administrative proceedings that impact their treatment and care needs. MHLS also provides advice and representation on standards of care and other civil liberty concerns. The service regularly partners with the New York State Council on Children and Families to ensure children have access to the services they need to thrive emotionally and developmentally.

“I am honored to be recognized by New York State and its partners for the advocacy efforts provided by the Mental Hygiene Legal Service on behalf of children,” says Sheila E. Shea, Director, of the MHLS for the Third Judicial Department. "The Service is motivated and inspired by a singular purpose- to be a voice for vulnerable people, especially children, whose voices would not otherwise be heard."         

For more information about the Mental Hygiene Legal Services, Third Judicial Department, visit http://bit.ly/2qbfnHt.

‘What’s Great in Our State’

‘What’s Great in Our State’ is an annual event hosted by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the New York State Council on Children and Families, and a number of children’s mental health advocacy organizations in order to celebrate the individuals and programs that are successfully advancing the cause of children’s mental health in New York State. The event features a reading of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement proclaiming the week as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, a ceremony recognizing our honorees, and an art show featuring artwork created by children receiving services from New York State’s mental health system. This year’s event will also feature two keynote speakers and a moderated round-table discussion featuring the awardees.

The event coincides with Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, a national movement that seeks to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and to show that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth.

For more information on the partners involved with this year’s ‘What’s Great in Our State’ event, visit http://conta.cc/2ou2Cr2.