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

PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Josh Stein joined Senator Natalie Murdock, the Legislative Black Caucus, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to recognize Black Maternal Health Week and raise awareness of ongoing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to join NCDHHS leadership, Trillium Health Resources, Southeastern Integrated Care and the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina for a ribbon-cutting at a new adult/child Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) on Friday, April 17, at noon. Kelly Crosbie, NCDHHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders, will speak at the event.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a $5.7 million investment to increase access to substance use services in North Carolina. Twelve community-based organizations were awarded funding for programs in areas that need it the most.

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Josh Stein, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) today announced an expansion of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs, an effort to connect people experiencing addiction with support services and help to reduce repeat crime. Entities supported by the expansion are the Fayetteville Police Department, Albemarle Police Department, Gaston County Police Department, Greensboro Police Department and Community Safety Department, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Robeson County

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to join NCDHHS leadership for a ribbon-cutting at the Promise Resource Network’s (PRN) new respite center in Cabarrus County on Wednesday, March 25, at 10 a.m. Kelly Crosbie, NCDHHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders, will speak at the event.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced major updates to the statewide online mental health bed registry that will reduce wait times and ensure people in crisis receive care as soon as possible. The Behavioral Health Statewide Central Availability Navigator (BH SCAN) is now updated hourly instead of once per day and has been integrated with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988 will be able to connect mobile crisis teams when they are dispatched to someone in crisis to let them know the available mental health beds in their area.

PRESS RELEASE —The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Alliance Health and New Hope Treatment Centers are partnering on a pilot program to improve mental health care for young people involved in the justice system. The $3.5 million investment from NCDHHS will fund a new mental health program operated by New Hope Treatment Centers at the Dillon Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) in Butner.

This week, NCDHHS Secretary Sangvai read the book Stand Tall by Molly Lou Melon, a book about self-esteem and resilience, to a group of students at Creekside Elementary School in Durham.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to join NCDHHS leadership for a ribbon-cutting at the Promise Resource Network’s Raleigh Recovery Café on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. Kelly Crosbie, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders, will speak at the event.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today released a report detailing progress increasing access to quality mental health, developmental disability, and substance use services for all North Carolinians. The year-one progress report on the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS) 2024-2029 strategic plan highlights achievements in the seven priority areas geared toward creating a comprehensive mental health care system that works for everyone.