Statement from Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA

The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA) is deeply saddened by the passing of Governor Richard Codey and will forever remember and be grateful for his extraordinary contributions to and impact on the state’s mental health community.

Throughout his 36-plus year tenure in the New Jersey Senate, including serving as Senate President from 2002 to 2010, Gov. Codey persevered in his advocacy and support for the mental health system and the individuals who rely on its life-saving services. We admire and appreciate his frankness about post-partum depression and other mental health disorders and especially the need to ensure access to treatment, support and recovery services.

Never has there been a governor who made mental health their number one priority for the tenure of their governorship and put NJAMHAA at the forefront as Gov. Codey did. He played a unique and admired role. Hitting the ground running from day one, Gov. Codey created the Task Force on Mental Health. He involved NJAMHAA’s leadership and members in serving on Task Force committees and making recommendations that changed history for those in need of mental health services in New Jersey. Recognizing the tremendous work needed to eliminate stigma and discrimination, this task force recommended that the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma be established. I am proud to have been serving on this vital Council since its inception and as the Chair since 2022. It is an honor to continue to work with all subsequent governors and build on the legacy that Gov. Codey created.

Also during his tenure as Acting Governor, Gov. Codey funded mental healthcare initiatives with more than $40 million and created a $200 million Special Needs Housing Trust Fund. These were unprecedented investments in services for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders. In fact, Gov. Codey achieved decades of mental health progress in only 14 months. 

NJAMHAA sends deepest condolences and warmest wishes to Gov. Codey’s family – his wife First Lady Mary Jo Codey; sons Kevin and Chris; and grandchildren – as well as friends and colleagues.