In a decisive move to highlight the importance of mental health, Governor Josh Stein has designated May as Mental Health Awareness Month. This initiative is coupled with efforts by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to broaden access to mental health services throughout the state.
Commitment to Mental Health Support
Governor Josh Stein emphasized the urgency of addressing mental health needs, noting that “nearly 1.5 million North Carolinians struggle with mental health issues.” His plan includes expanding services for students, first responders, and rural populations, while also increasing psychiatric inpatient bed availability. Stein remarked, “Together we can reduce stigma and build a safer, stronger, and healthier North Carolina.”
First Lady Anna Stein praised the state’s advancements, stating, “The strategic investments NCDHHS has made to bolster our mental health infrastructure will have a positive impact on so many lives.”
Data-Driven Initiatives and Improvements
NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai highlighted a decrease in suicide deaths for the first time in five years, attributing this to successful prevention efforts. However, he acknowledged the ongoing need for removing barriers to mental health care.
NCDHHS has been actively enhancing mental health services by funding initiatives such as crisis care, community-based services, and coordination between 988 and mobile crisis teams. The department is also focused on building a robust mental health workforce.
Executive Actions and Community Support
Governor Stein’s Executive Order No. 33 empowers NCDHHS to extend efforts in crisis care, reduce incarceration through services, and aid community reintegration. Partnerships with organizations like Daymark Recovery Services and Aya House are instrumental in this mission.
Enhancing Crisis Services and Community Options
To better handle mental health emergencies, NCDHHS has invested in eight Behavioral Health Urgent Care facilities, with new centers in Alamance, Buncombe, Caldwell, Haywood, Pitt, Robeson, Rockingham, and Rowan counties. Future expansions include Cabarrus, Johnston, Lenoir, Vance, and Wake counties, aiming to boost urgent care capacity by over 50%.
“Too many people who need urgent mental health care end up in hospital emergency departments, which are not best equipped to meet these needs,” noted Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. “We are building a robust system where everyone in North Carolina will have someone to contact and a safe place to go for help.”
Access to Crisis Lines and Resources
North Carolina’s call volumes to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline have surged, doubling over three years and surpassing national averages. The line offers free, confidential, and 24/7 support. Spanish-speaking counselors are also accessible by calling 988 and pressing option 2.
Monthly, over 1,000 calls to 988 are directed to mobile crisis teams, consisting of trained counselors available at various locations. The mobile crisis teams list is available for those in need.
Additionally, the NC Peer Warmline provides private, peer-based support. With over 130,000 calls since its inception, the warmline connects individuals with similar experiences for assistance.
For more information on available resources and to explore care options, individuals can visit the NCDHHS mental health crisis services page and utilize their interactive map for walk-in clinics. Further insights into NCDHHS’s strategies are outlined in their strategic plan for 2024-2029 and annual progress report.
For an overview, watch this video message from Secretary Sangvai.
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