Anne Marie Montijo joined the Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW) in the fall of 2015 as the Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives. With over 25 years of experience in social work, the previous seven as an administrator in higher education, Anne Marie brings with her extensive experience in child and adolescent mental health as both a practitioner and administrator. She provides executive leadership in managing the organization’s Community Outreach and Education Department, Incident Review Committee, Staff Development and Training, Organizational Diversity & Cultural Competency Initiatives, Student Internship program and Children’s Services. Anne Marie also provides clinical supervision and support for our staff at the Veterans shelter, clinic PROS staff, and LMSW’s.
A 1992 graduate from Stony Brook School of Social Welfare, Anne Marie went on to lead North Suffolk Mental Health Center’s adolescent boy’s community residence. After 7 years she joined South Oaks Hospital as the Director of Child and Adolescent Community Services. There she led an extensive outreach effort working with children’s mental health agencies across Long Island and the five boroughs. Offering numerous educational workshops to schools, advocacy organizations, hospitals, higher education and other venues she established a reputation as a tireless advocate for children’s mental health all while trying to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Anne Marie has presented both nationally and internationally on topics such as Culture and Self-Harm, and Resiliency.
Anne Marie has extensive volunteer experience in cancer services having worked with The Eye Cancer Foundation in NYC for 10 years leading patient support services and organizing patient and family luncheons on Long Island and New York City. Since 2011, she has also volunteered for the Melanoma Research Foundations CURE OM. A Steering Committee Member for CURE OM she has helped to spearhead seven Patient and Caregiver Symposiums across the country. Often leading groups at these symposiums for newly diagnosed patients with ocular melanoma and presenting workshops on resiliency. She is also part of the Host Committee for the Wings of Hope Gala in New York City a fundraising event for the Melanoma Research Foundation.
