American Association of Suicidology Welcomes Don Wright to Its Board of Directors

Washington, D.C. (April 12, 2021): The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is pleased to announce that Don Wright, founder and CEO of Clarigent Health, has joined its Board of Directors. Don’s work involves triangulating mental health metrics from the patient, the clinician, and the company’s proprietary vocal biomarkers technology. This supports earlier detection of risk, continuous monitoring of progress over time, and group-level insights for mental health care organizations. Prior to Clarigent, Don spent the previous decade developing the GeneSight pharmacogenomics product at Assurex Health helping almost two million people get on the right treatment for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions.

“I am delighted to join AAS who are leading the way in suicide prevention. The need is more urgent than ever and there is much we need to change,” said Wright. “The exciting thing is that we in the healthcare industry are rethinking how mental healthcare is delivered and paid for in the United States, with increasing recognition that mental health is physical health. I look forward to adding my voice to the AAS effort, bringing perspective from my years in industry as well as my lived experience”

Don is the President of the Suicide Prevention Initiative and Depression Research Foundation. He is also the chairman of Inagene Diagnostics, a pharmacogenomics company specializing in mental health and pain treatment.  He is the chairman of the Hamilton Mill a Cincinnati area startup accelerator and a member of the board of advisors of OhioX, the board of advisors of the Xavier University Master of Science in Customer Analytics Program, the NKU Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the University of Cincinnati Technology Accelerator for Commercialization, as well as the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Digital Health and Care committee.

“We are excited to have Don join our Board,” said Anthony Wood, AAS Board Chair. “He’s a long-time supporter and suicide prevention champion, having joined us several years ago as a loss survivor. Don is a respected member of the biomedical startup community, not only bringing his proven track record of innovation but also his experience in harnessing research and implementing evidence-based initiatives. His expertise expands the private sector presence on our board. Ensuring professional diversity was identified as a top priority for the long term sustainability of AAS, a core goal for the organization identified during our strategic planning process.”

Don is the father of three children, Justin (who we lost to suicide in 2017), Abigail, and Samuel.

AAS is dedicated to providing representation that effectively communicates the needs and goals of its membership. By continuing to include a diverse roster of individuals who can address these components, AAS, its divisions and committees, and its Board of Directors work strategically to create programs focused on ending suicide in this country and throughout the world. 

For the Media: Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides. Please visit the Media as Partners in Suicide Prevention: Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more information. For additional information, please visit SuicideReportingToolkit.com.

About AAS: The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center professionals, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.

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