Topics Related to Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services

PRESS RELEASE — During Suicide Prevention Week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the release of a new report, Transforming North Carolina’s Behavioral Health System: Investing in a System That Delivers Whole-Person Care When and Where People Need It. The report outlines the state’s expansive and strategic efforts to transform the public behavioral health system to deliver high-quality, equitable, accessible care that meets people where they are in their communities.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is holding a public webinar to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10, 2024. This comes as Governor Roy Cooper proclaims the week of Sept. 8 as Suicide Prevention Week in North Carolina. Suicide is a significant public health issue that affects people across all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds.

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Roy Cooper declares Aug. 31 Overdose Awareness Day in North Carolina — a day to remember those lost to overdose, honor their families and renew our commitment to ending the crisis.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a $4.5 million investment in the NC Child Treatment Program, a statewide initiative to train mental health providers in trauma-informed treatment models for children with complex behavioral health needs. NCDHHS is investing to expand access to proven behavioral health treatments so young people and their families receive the support they need sooner, and in the communities where they live and learn.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently launched the North Carolina Strategic Housing Plan to help maintain, increase and better utilize affordable supportive housing for people with disabilities across the state. This plan addresses housing needs for individuals with disabilities, including those who are currently receiving or eligible for NCDHHS-funded services as well as those who are experiencing homelessness, currently residing in congregate settings or at risk of entry into these settings.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The federal 988 Director Monica Johnson and leaders from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are visiting North Carolina Thursday to tour the 988 Call Center (REAL Crisis Center) in Greenville, tour a Community Crisis Center (Recovery Innovations) and later host a roundtable discussion in Durham to learn more about and highlight the success of North Carolina’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Peer Warmline. North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley and NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services Director Kelly Crosbie will accompany Director Johnson to both sites.

PRESS RELEASE — The NC Department of Health and Human Services this week celebrates the second anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In the past two years, 988 crisis counselors in North Carolina have responded to nearly 190,000 calls, texts and chats, providing critical access to mental health and substance use crisis support. In its second year of service, the number of North Carolinians contacting 988 each month has nearly doubled.  

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is launching its Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Tailored Plans, a new kind of NC Medicaid Managed Care health plan, on Monday, July 1.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today released a multi-year Direct Support Professional Workforce Plan. This plan aims to address the critical shortage of DSPs who provide in-home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Carolina. Implementation will begin on July 1.

PRESS RELEASE — Natural disasters and incidents of mass violence continue to impact individuals, families and communities. NCDHHS today launched a new, multilingual Disaster and Behavioral Health Resources Communications Toolkit to provide communities with tips, guidance and resources to support mental and emotional health before, during and after a disaster.