“The New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma 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. These achievements included the establishment of the Task Force on Mental Health on his first day as Acting Governor in 2004, whose recommendations led to the creation of the Stigma Council,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, Chair of the Council. 

Gov. Codey retained the title after serving as Acting Governor two times, as was required by his position as Senate President when a Governor is incapacitated, resigns or is otherwise not available. In 2005, the position of Lieutenant Governor was created to fill this need, along with ongoing responsibilities in the Administration. 

Gov. Codey was New Jersey’s longest-serving legislator, having served eight years in the Assembly and 42 years in the Senate, including the role of Senate President from 2002 to 2010. Throughout this time, until he retired in 2024, he “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,” Dr. Wentz said. 

A particularly memorable example of his determination and dedication to ensure quality services for individuals with mental illnesses was when he went undercover at a state psychiatric hospital. “Assuming the name of a dead convicted criminal, he was hired as a night attendant and found employees sleeping on the job and abusing patients. The exposé led to major reforms for patients in mental health facilities,” as shared in the Star-Ledger (Jan. 12, 2026). 

Gov. Codey was dedicated to serving vulnerable individuals since long before his distinguished political career. “A good deal of my success came from watching my parents serve people at a time in need,” he was quoted in the Star-Ledger today. He worked in his family’s funeral home, was a teacher and served as a youth basketball coach. 

“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. He achieved decades of mental health progress in only 14 months,” Dr. Wentz added. On his first day as Acting Governor in 2004, Gov. Codey created the Task Force on Mental Health. “He involved the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies’ (NJAMHAA’s) leadership and other stakeholders in serving on Task Force committees and making recommendations that changed history for those in need of mental health services in New Jersey,” stated Dr. Wentz, who also serves as President and CEO of NJAMHAA. 

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 the Stigma 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,” Dr. Wentz said. 

The Stigma Council 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. 

Click here to read Gov. Codey’s obituary and details on a viewing and other related events