The Health Department Appoints New Executive Deputy Commissioner of Mental Hygiene

The Health Department Appoints New Executive Deputy Commissioner of Mental Hygiene

Dr. H. Jean Wright II, PsyD, MDiv, Will Lead the Division of Mental Hygiene, Which Oversees the Agency's Work on Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention, Care and Treatment and Children Youth and Families, Among Other Bureaus.

April 23, 2024 - Dr. H. Jean Wright II has been appointed as the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Mental Hygiene. He joins the agency from the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), where he served as Deputy Commissioner.

"Mental health is health and to promote a healthier city and achieve longer, healthier, more equitable lives for New Yorkers, we must have leaders who engage across communities, sectors and specialties to improve wellbeing" said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. "Dr. Wright brings a track record of successful collaboration, clinical and programmatic development and institutional excellence in city government, that will lead to stronger prevention, and more access to care, toward better mental health for all in New York City."

"Coming out of the pandemic, we all may have been touched by mental health issues in some way," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. "We also know many individuals and families face everyday stressors resulting from housing, economic, or other concerns. That's why we have prioritized mental health care since the start of our administration from launching a comprehensive blueprint including areas such as youth and family mental health and severe mental illness. I want to welcome Dr. Wright and I look forward to working together in the coming months and years to tackle these critical issues."

"Mental health and mental wellness are the foundation for achieving overall health," said Executive Deputy Commissioner of Mental Hygiene Dr. H. Jean Wright II. "I am excited to join the DOHMH team to improve access and outcomes for everyone in NYC regardless of their station in life."

Dr. Wright steps into the role as New York City builds on Care, Community, Action, an ambitious mental health agenda focused on child and family mental health, the overdose crisis, and support for New Yorkers living with serious mental illness.

Wright is a clinical and forensic psychologist who brings two decades of transformational leadership experience in behavioral health in government, private practice, rehabilitation, and academia to his new role at the Health Department.

During his time in Philadelphia, Dr. Wright led the Behavioral Health and Justice Division at DBHIDS where he helped develop and oversee programs and initiatives to support people returning from state psychiatric hospitalization and county jail. This work involved alliance-building across sectors, implementing trauma-focused practices to deliver behavioral health care to target populations, as well as trainings of service providers.

He is an Adjunct Professor at Temple University in the Department of Psychology and has served on a variety of boards, including The Mayor's Task Force on Reintegration and The Philadelphia Board of Mental Health.

Dr. Wright earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, English literature, and cultural studies from The Ohio State University and a doctorate in psychology with focus in clinical and forensic psychology from Wright State University. He continued with post-doctoral work at Wilberforce University and Cincinnati VA Medical Center.

The Division of Mental Hygiene works on a range of programs and services for New Yorkers focused on mental health, substance use, developmental disabilities, and health promotion for legal system-impacted people, among others.

Dr. Wright's first day in the role was April 22.

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