Dr. Anthony Verga Joins Staff of MHAW

Dr. Anthony Verga, of Northport, has joined the staff of the Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW) as Staff Psychiatrist. Dr. Verga brings nearly 40 years of clinical expertise working with Veterans and people affected by addiction and substance use disorders at Seafield Center, the Veterans Administration in Northport, and several community-based agencies.

“Dr. Verga’s tremendous breadth of experience will allow us to expand our ability to serve people with co-occurring psychiatric disabilities and substance use disorders (SUDS),” said Michael Stoltz, CEO of MHAW. “In addition, we will also be able to work with at-risk Veterans whom we serve through our Suffolk County United Veterans programs.” Dr. Verga will be based in MHAW’s two Centers for Recovery & Wellness, licensed by the state Office of Mental Health and Personalized Recovery-Oriented Services (PROS) programs.

“From the moment I met with the leadership and staff of MHAW, and then met some of the courageous people they serve, I knew that this was an organization that matched my own vision and values,” said Dr. Verga. “I look forward to making significant contributions to the mission of MHAW: to advocate, to educate, and to empower the people we serve.”

To learn more about the Centers for Recovery & Wellness, contact Jean Forrest at 631-471-7242 x1324 (Ronkonkoma) or Laura Schlageter at (631) 361-0022 x1202 (Riverhead). For more information about services offered by MHAW, see the agency’s website at www.mhaw.org or call the Help Line at (631) 226-3900.

About the Association for Mental Health and Wellness

The Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation based in Ronkonkoma, NY, provides programs, services, and advocacy for people facing mental health challenges with an enhanced focus on serving military Veterans.

MHAW dates back to 1955 with the incorporation of the Mental Health Association in Suffolk County (MHA Suffolk). In 1990, Clubhouse of Suffolk was launched, providing a wide array of vocational rehabilitation services and recovery programs. With the growing need to provide services for Veterans with PTSD and other battle-related brain injuries, Clubhouse merged with MHA Suffolk and Suffolk County United Veterans in 2014 to form the Association for Mental Health and Wellness.

MHAW is committed to the core practice values of empowerment, hope, opportunity, and cultural competence. All of the agency’s direct service workers are trained in the importance of addressing health from trauma-informed and whole person perspectives with enriched understanding of the social and economic conditions that contribute to physical and mental health and substance abuse.

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