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

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new peer respite mental health wellness center in western North Carolina on Oct. 23, 2025, in Henderson County.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Trillium Health Resources and Integrated Family Services PLLC are hosting a ribbon-cutting on Monday, Oct. 20, for a new Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) in Pitt County. The facility is scheduled to open on Monday, Oct. 27.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the creation of the AdvaNCe Health Together Learning Community, a new initiative developed in partnership with national consulting firm Open Minds and Trillium Health Resources, a North Carolina LME/MCO. AdvaNCe Health Together is a training and collaboration model that will help Community Behavioral Health Clinics prepare to meet certification standards in their goal to increase access to care across North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Josh Stein, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities along with members of the community celebrated October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month on Friday at a reception at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh. The event highlighted the personal stories of workers with disabilities and employers who are building a strong and disability-inclusive workforce in North Carolina.

NCDHHS and the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities are celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October by highlighting the contributions people with disabilities are making in workplaces across North Carolina.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend the “Stronger Together Conference” on Sept. 20, 2025, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The conference is an interactive experience centered on cultural connection, creative expression and community care. It is designed to offer culturally competent and trauma-informed resources to support wellness for Black youth and young adults.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend the "Responding to the Opioid and Substance Use Crisis in North Carolina’s Rural Coastal Communities" conference on September 19, 2025, in Morehead City. Kelly Crosbie, Director of the Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Use Services at the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, will deliver the keynote address on how opioid use impacts rural coastal communities.

PRESS RELEASE — North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating national 988 Day and commemorating the second anniversary of American Sign Language (ASL) service being available through the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

On Aug. 25, NCDHHS’ Deputy Secretary of Health, Debra Farrington, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completion of ECU Health’s new Behavioral Health Hospital in Greenville. The ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital is scheduled to welcome patients in September with 144 beds to serve both adults and children.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend a ceremony on Sept. 8, 2025, commemorating 988 Day and the second anniversary of ASL being offered through the nationwide 988 service. The event will be held at the REAL Crisis Center in Greenville, which is the state center for answering calls to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline