Gov. Richard Codey to hold virtual 2/11 news conference: Announcing new initiative to save lives during pandemic

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(West Orange, NJ) – New Jersey’s legislative champion and longtime advocate for individuals with
mental health illness plans will make a major announcement during a virtual news conference
Thursday, February 11, 2021. Former Governor and current State Senator Richard Codey – who gained
national prominence working undercover in mental health facilities exposing abuse and corruption –
will be joined by NJ211.org Executive Director Melissa Acree during Thursday’s 12:30 pm news
conference.

Richard Codey’s career of mental health advocacy includes:

• In 2018, he worked with local school districts, mental health associations and parent to help
develop new methods to prevent teen suicide throughout New Jersey and his Codey Fund for Mental
Heath led a symposium on the issue.

• In 2011, he went undercover to expose a “broken system that makes it nearly impossible for
homeless men with mental illnesses, or homeless men who aren’t on a form of Welfare, to gain access
to a shelter.”

• In 2005, Codey’s wife and former first lady Mary Jo Codey, who experienced postpartum
depression several times, led New Jersey’s launch of a public awareness campaign – “Speak Up When
You’re Down” – about the disease.

• In 1989, the state senator disguised himself as a deceased felon and was hired at the former
Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital and exposed shoddy hiring practices at the state mental health
facility.

THE CODEY FUND FOR MENTAL HEALTH was established in 2012 by Governor Richard and Mary Jo Codey. The organization was founded on the beliefs that access to comprehensive care and quality treatment  for individuals mental illness is the single biggest barrier between l health disorders and the treatment that can  change their lives.