Biden Taps CT Mental Health Czar For National Health Gig

CONNECTICUT — President Joe Biden has nominated the commissioner of the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to serve as assistant secretary for mental health and substance use with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In her new position, Miriam Delphin-Rittmon would be responsible for leading the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Delphin-Rittmon, of Meriden, has served as the head of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services since 2015. Prior to becoming commissioner, she served with the state agency in several capacities, including as deputy commissioner, senior policy advisor, and director of its Office of Multicultural Healthcare Equity.

The mental health commissioner is not the first Connecticut department head that Biden has tapped to join his administration. Former state Department of Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as secretary of the U.S. Department of Education in March.

"Commissioner Delphin-Rittmon has been a trusted advisor on some of the leading issues of our time, especially when it comes to the national impact of the opioid crisis and the growing mental health needs of our community following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," Gov. Ned Lamont said. "That is why it comes as no surprise that President Biden has selected her to bring her expertise to the national level."

In May 2014, Delphin-Rittmon completed a two-year appointment under President Barack Obama as senior advisor to the administrator of SAMHSA, the same federal office that she has now been appointed to lead. In this role, she worked on a range of policy initiatives addressing behavioral health equity, workforce development, and healthcare reform.

"I am truly humbled and honored to have been nominated to serve in this role and thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for this privilege," Delphin-Rittmon said. "If confirmed, I look forward to joining the Biden-Harris administration to address the behavioral health of the nation during this challenging and transformative time."