Student leader Singh honored for youth advocacy, mental health awareness in Queens

By Mutiu Olawuyi

Student advocate and community leader Jaskaran Singh has been honored in Queens for his years of work supporting youth, students and families through mentorship, leadership development and community engagement.

The special gathering, held on June 27, 2026, brought together university students, nonprofit representatives, community leaders and members of New York’s Sikh and interfaith communities. The event highlighted the growing importance of student mental health, youth empowerment and community-based support at a time when many young people are facing academic, social and emotional pressure.

Organizers said Singh was recognized for his continued commitment to helping students succeed both academically and personally through mentorship programs, multicultural outreach and youth advocacy initiatives.

According to the American College Health Association, more than 76% of college students report experiencing moderate to serious mental distress. Speakers at the Queens event said the figure reflects a wider need for stronger mentorship, healthier learning environments and community structures that help students feel supported before challenges become crises.

Singh, a graduate of Queensborough Community College and a Dean’s List honoree, has become known in Queens academic and civic circles for his service to students and families. His work has connected youth leadership, cultural identity, personal development and public service.

Several representatives from Commonpoint, a major New York City nonprofit providing youth education, workforce development, mental health counseling and family services, attended the event to support Singh, who previously worked with the organization.

The gathering also included members of New York’s Sikh community, student leaders and youth advocates. Among those present was Gurpreet Singh of Gatka Federation USA, an organization dedicated to teaching the ancient Sikh martial art of Gatka and promoting discipline, self-development and cultural heritage.

During the program, Jaskaran Singh presented citations from a local government official and a United States senator to two attendees in recognition of their service to the community and their commitment to mentoring others.

One of the evening’s notable presentations came from Myles Parker of the L. Ron Hubbard Foundation, director of the historic Bay Head, New Jersey landmark where L. Ron Hubbard authored Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.

In recognition of Singh’s community work, Parker presented him with a commemorative 75th Anniversary leatherbound edition of Dianetics. Organizers said the presentation acknowledged Singh’s efforts to promote educational growth, intercultural dialogue and positive responses to mental health and social challenges facing students.

The evening closed with reflections on the value of quiet service and the importance of individuals who uplift others without seeking public recognition. Attendees described Singh’s nearly decade-long advocacy as an example of how student leadership can grow into broader community responsibility.

For New York’s diverse communities, the event carried a wider message: student mental health cannot be addressed by institutions alone. Families, schools, nonprofits, faith communities and civic leaders all have a role to play in creating environments where young people can ask for help, build confidence and lead with purpose.

Singh’s recognition also showed how youth advocacy can serve as a bridge across cultures and communities. By bringing together Sikh leaders, interfaith participants, nonprofit representatives and students, the gathering emphasized that mental health awareness and community leadership are shared responsibilities.