PRESS RELEASE                                 SOURCE:  First Trust Advisors L.P.

FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P. ANNOUNCES PORTFOLIO MANAGER CONFERENCE CALL FOR FIRST
TRUST STRATEGIC HIGH INCOME FUND II

WHEATON, IL -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- July 9, 2014 -- First Trust Advisors L.P.
("FTA") announced today that First Trust Strategic High Income Fund II (NYSE:
FHY) intends to host a conference call with Brookfield Investment Management,
Inc. ("Brookfield"), the Fund's investment sub-advisor, on WEDNESDAY, JULY 23,
2014, AT 3:15 P.M. CENTRAL TIME. The purpose of the call is to hear Brookfield's
portfolio management team provide updates for the Fund and the Market.

--    Dial-in Number: (866) 865-6631; International (706) 679-1727; and Passcode
      # 54179226. Please call 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the
      teleconference.

--    Telephone Replay: (855) 859-2056; International (404) 537-3406; and
      Passcode # 54179226. The replay will be available after the call until
      11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

FTA has served as the Fund's investment advisor since the Fund's inception. FTA,
along with its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P., are privately-held
companies which provide a variety of investment services, including asset
management and financial advisory services, with collective assets under
management or supervision of over $94 billion as of May 31, 2014, through unit
investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and
separate managed accounts.

Brookfield serves as the Fund's investment sub-advisor. Brookfield is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management, a global alternative
asset manager with $190 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2014.
Brookfield Asset Management has over a 100-year history of owning and operating
assets with a focus on property, renewable power, infrastructure and private
equity. Brookfield Asset Management's public market activities are conducted by
Brookfield, a registered investment advisor, with over $14 billion of assets
under management as of March 31, 2014.

If you have questions about the Funds that you would like answered on the call,
please email your questions to cefquestions@ftadvisors.com and refer to FHY by
Monday, July 21, 2014, 5:00 P.M Central Time.

Past performance is no assurance of future results. Investment return and market
value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate. Shares, when sold, may be
worth more or less than their original cost.

Principal Risk Factors: Investment in this Fund involves investment and market
risk, management risk, value investing risk, below-investment grade securities
risk, fixed-income securities risk, mortgage-backed securities risk,
asset-backed securities risk, convertible securities risk, non-U.S. securities
risk, currency risk, distressed securities risk, inflation/deflation risk,
interest rate risk, market discount risk, leverage risk, derivatives risk,
market disruption risk, portfolio turnover risk, and illiquid/restricted
securities risk.

Below-investment grade securities are commonly referred to as "high-yield" or
"junk" bonds and are considered speculative with respect to the issuer's
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These securities are susceptible
to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business
developments. The market values for high-yield securities tend to be very
volatile, and these securities are less liquid than investment grade debt
securities. For these reasons, your investment in the Fund is subject to the
following specific risks: (a) increased price sensitivity to changing interest
rates and to a deteriorating economic environment; (b) greater risk of loss due
to default or declining credit quality; (c) adverse company specific events are
more likely to render the issuer unable to make interest and/or principal
payments; and (d) a negative perception of the high-yield market may depress the
price and liquidity of high-yield securities.

The risks of investing in the Fund are spelled out in the prospectus,
shareholder reports, and other regulatory filings.

The Fund's daily closing New York Stock Exchange price and net asset value per
share as well as other information can be found at www.ftportfolios.com or by
calling 1-800-988-5891.


CONTACT: JEFF MARGOLIN -- (630) 915-6784


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Source:  First Trust Advisors L.P.