We are proud to share that Jason Andrade, MS, LCPC, VP of Organizational Development and Therapist of Family Counseling Service, was recently featured in Authority Magazine as part of their ongoing Mental Health Champions series. The series highlights individuals who are working to promote mental wellness and expand access to care in their communities.
In the interview, Jason reflects on his upbringing in the Chicagoland area, his 27 years working in the community mental health field, and what drives his commitment to building programs that are accessible, culturally responsive, and rooted in trust. He speaks candidly about the barriers many people face in seeking mental health care, the importance of early intervention, and what meaningful, community-centered treatment actually looks like in practice.
He also discusses ONE Aurora, Family Counseling Service’s initiative to expand school-based mental health services across Aurora, Illinois, and shares the story of how our team transitioned to full telehealth operations within 48 hours at the onset of COVID-19.
Read the full interview on Authority Magazine: Mental Health Champions: Why & How Jason Andrade of Family Counseling Service Is Helping To Champion Mental Wellness
The Interview
The following is an excerpt from Jason’s full interview with Authority Magazine.
Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I was born and raised in the Chicagoland area of Illinois, growing up in the 1980s and 1990s as part of Generation X. During that time, conversations about mental health and emotional well-being were rarely part of everyday life. Not in my home, not at the dinner table, and certainly not among my friends. While my parents were loving, supportive, and present, mental health simply wasn’t something that my family openly discussed. My peers and I didn’t talk about moods, behaviors, or thought patterns. To me, mental health treatment meant one thing: the inpatient behavioral health hospital in our community, a place people went only when things had reached a crisis point.
At the same time, I grew up witnessing many of the challenges common to both urban and suburban communities: violence, gang involvement, substance use, untreated mental illness, and homelessness. I often wondered what made our community seem to struggle more than others. Why were some individuals more deeply affected than others? Why did so many face barriers to getting the help they needed?
As I grew older, I began to understand that what was missing was access, not resilience or strength. Access to early intervention. Access to meaningful, compassionate treatment. Access to care that sees the whole person before a crisis defines them. I realized that timely, effective treatment has the power to truly change, and even save, lives. That realization resonated deeply with me. It became clear that I had found my life’s path.
You are currently leading an initiative that is helping to promote mental wellness. Can you tell us more about what you are trying to address?
The initiative I am most proud of right now is ONE Aurora. It is a coordinated effort to expand access to school-based mental health services across the city of Aurora, Illinois, through partnerships with both West Aurora School District 129 and East Aurora School District 131. Through ONE Aurora, Family Counseling Service provides on-site counseling and mobile crisis intervention services directly within school buildings, so that students and families can access care in a familiar, trusted environment.
By embedding services within schools, we remove common barriers such as transportation, scheduling, and stigma, making it easier for students to receive support when they need it most. During the 2025-2026 school year alone, we have positively impacted over 350 students across both districts through counseling, crisis intervention, and preventative support.
Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide to step up and act?
Quite frankly, it was the realization that I could play a role in creating change. It is common for people to recognize a problem, want to help, but ultimately feel that the issue is too large to make a meaningful difference. I have always tried to move past that mindset and remain focused on what can be done.
Throughout my work, I have stayed deeply committed to the idea that relationships, connection, and cultural relevance are essential to truly creating access to mental health care. I have been intentional about building trust not only with the individuals we currently serve, but also with those in the community who have not yet engaged with mental health services.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading Family Counseling Service?
In 2020, at the onset of COVID-19, Family Counseling Service faced a significant dilemma. How does a community mental health provider immediately deliver 100% telehealth services to thousands of children, adolescents, adults, and older adults? How do you train staff who have never used telehealth to do so overnight? How do you support clients, many of whom do not have a computer, in using technology to receive mental health services or medications? All of these questions needed answers at once.
Through the diligent work of our incredible team, all dedicated mental health champions, we were fully up and running with telehealth services within 48 hours. Every client was able to continue receiving mental health care without disruption. That is a testament to the extraordinary staff at Family Counseling Service.
What are your 5 strategies for promoting your own well-being and mental wellness?
- Family and Friends: Spending time with the people I love, family and friends, is essential to my well-being.
- Gardening: There is something deeply grounding about tending to a garden. It fosters presence and mindfulness in a way few other activities can.
- Cooking: For me, cooking is an act of love. Preparing food for the people in my life is one of the most meaningful ways I know to connect and care for others.
- Nature: I love to fish, hike, and spend time outdoors. Being in nature restores my energy and gives me perspective.
- Community Engagement: Participating in diverse community events, learning from others, and immersing myself in the life of the community brings me joy and keeps me connected to the people and places I serve.
If you could tell other people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on society, what would you tell them?
If you are not working to make a positive impact, we have to ask ourselves, what are we actually doing? Remember that we are all vulnerable and it could be any one of us who is struggling in an instant. Those who suffer from mental illness are not lazy, incapable, or deserving of the conditions they have to live with. We have to be good to each other.
Read the Full Interview
To read Jason’s complete responses, including his thoughts on what individuals, society, and government can each do to better support people living with mental illness, and his recommended books and resources, visit the full article on Authority Magazine.
Family Counseling Service is proud of Jason’s ongoing leadership and his commitment to expanding mental health access across our community. To learn more about our programs and services, visit aurorafcs.org.
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