Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker recently joined Michael Stoltz via zoom to present him with a proclamation in honor of his recent retirement as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Association of Mental Health and Wellness. Michael Stoltz retired from his position this past December after serving in a leadership capacity at the organization for the last 30 years.
“I want to congratulate Michael Stoltz on his retirement after many years of service to the community,” said Legislator Sarah Anker. “The Association of Mental Health and Wellness has been able to grow and touch so many lives, providing much needed mental health support and resources because of Michael’s dedication and leadership for the last 30 years. He has impacted so many people throughout his career, and I know he will continue to do so post-retirement.”
During the presentation Michael Stoltz shared some thoughts about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the perception of mental health and the role it plays on the lives of those in the community. “Since COVID, everyone understands the role that mental health plays with respect to our satisfaction in life, productivity as workers, employees, employers, in our educational system, and in our health system,” said Michael Stoltz. “Now, we understand that mental health is a more critical element than ever before in social policy, social health policy, and social welfare policy. I hope that one of the outcomes of this crisis is that there will be a higher level of understanding and appreciation for mental health.”
Since 1990, Michael Stoltz has been in a leadership role at the Association for Mental Health and Wellness, first as the Executive Director for the predecessor organization, Clubhouse of Suffolk, and later as the organization’s CEO in 2014. Throughout his career, Michael has served as the past President of the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, as a board member and past Chair of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, as a board member of the Long Island Home, the Mental Health Association of New York State and Stony Brook Medicines’ Clinical Network Performing Provider System, past President of the Ronkonkoma Rotary and was appointed to the Suffolk County’s Welfare to Work Commission. Additionally, Michael Stoltz is a professor at his Alma Mater, Adelphi University, and maintains a private practice with his wife Robin as Licensed Clinical Social Workers.
As the Association for Mental Health and Wellness moves forward, Colleen Merlo will be taking over as the CEO. For more information about the organization, please visit: http://mhaw.org.
