Hauppauge High School student Jacob Wolmetz was recently honored with the Morgan Wheeler Young Adult Award by the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) at its Annual Awards Dinner in Albany. This award celebrates young leaders whose advocacy and personal commitment have made a meaningful difference in advancing mental health awareness and support across New York State.
Jacob’s work has been nothing short of extraordinary. He currently serves on the NYS Governor’s Youth Council and is an inaugural member of the NYS x #HalfTheStory Teen Tech Council, where he interviewed Secretary Hillary Clinton. Jacob has spoken alongside state and federal leaders as a featured youth speaker at MHANYS “Mental Health Matters” Day and at the Congressional Mental Health Caucus Youth Roundtable, and he has led advocacy efforts in Albany and Washington, D.C. He is also a Youth Advocate with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has been recognized with both the Suffolk County Youth Honoree Award and the NYS Senate Youth Leadership Recognition Award.
At the 2025 Mental Health Matters Day, Jacob delivered an inspiring message about access and equity in mental health care, urging legislators to recognize that “mental health care is not a privilege, it is a right.” Reflecting on his advocacy, Jacob shared, “Everyone is impacted by mental health, and that is why I got so involved in advocacy.”
His efforts also extend to his own school community, where he co-organized district wellness workshops under the guidance of the Cohen Strong Mental Health Program with Northwell Health—a youth-led initiative that engaged fifth graders in activities promoting wellness and coping strategies.
Jacob was joined at the MHANYS Awards Dinner by his mother, Carolyn Steinman-Wolmetz, Anne Van Der Veer, Program Manager, Institute for Community Health and Wellness at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Northwell Health, and Dr. Rebecca Bilski, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, Hauppauge School District.
Jacob’s leadership and compassion exemplify the spirit of the Morgan Wheeler Award. He continues to remind us that advocacy is not a destination, but an ongoing commitment to building systems of care that help every student thrive.
We are incredibly proud of Jacob and his contributions to both Hauppauge and the broader community. His work reflects the values of empathy, leadership, and perseverance that define the spirit of our schools.