Milestone and More: Child and Family Mental Health “Transformational” Leader is City’s New Mental Health Executive Deputy Commissioner

by Bernice Elizabeth Green
There may be some relief for New York straphangers who are holding on to hope for solutions to the dramas played out every day in the underground.

Dr. H. Jean Wright II, PsyD, MDiv, described as a “transformational leader”, says he is personally committed to bringing more to his role as New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s new Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Mental Hygiene. He is charged with working with families, youth and children. Dr. Wright began work on Monday, April 22.

Dr. Wright joins the agency from the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbility Services (DBHIDS), where he served as Deputy Commissioner. 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.

According to the NYC press release, “Wright steps into the (Mental Health Commissioner) 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.”

“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 in a statement about the appointment. “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 look forward to working together in the coming months and years to tackle these critical issues.”
During his time in Philadelphia, Dr. Wright helped develop and oversee behavioral health and justice programs. He developed initiatives to support people returning from state psychiatric hospitalization and county jails.

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, according to the NYC press announcement.

Dr. Wright, the author of Find Your Strength in Your Struggle: Discover the Miracle in You, is an Adjunct Professor at Temple University in the Department of Psychology and has served on a variety of boards, including The Mayor of Philadelphia’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.

Dr. Wright’s website notes that his story “is more than a chronicle of professional milestones; it’s a narrative of a man who seamlessly integrates psychology with faith and spirituality, and who dedicates his life to the betterment of public health education.”

In a statement about his appointment, Dr. Wright said, “Mental health and mental wellness are the foundation for achieving overall health. I am excited to join the DOHMH team to improve access and outcomes for everyone in NYC regardless of their station in life.”

New York City’s Division of Mental Hygiene works on a range of programs and services for New Yorkers focused on mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and health promotion for legal system-impacted people.

Our Time Press has requested an interview with Dr. Wright to lead into the upcoming June Men’s Month issue.