PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services received three federal grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) totaling almost $7 million to improve the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, enhance Mobile Crisis Teams and provide treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUD) for pregnant and postpartum women. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and these grants will help NCDHHS continue its efforts to lower suicide deaths and attempts in North Carolina.
Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE — Today the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) acknowledged significant strides North Carolina has made in improving community inclusion for people with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and severe mental illness (SMI). USDOJ and the State of North Carolina filed a joint motion asking the federal district court to terminate its oversight of the Transition to Community Living settlement agreement as a result of the State having met major requirements with the agreement’s terms. Since 2012, NCDHHS has overseen the implementation of the settlement terms through sustained investments to strengthen infrastructure to support people living with SPMI/SMI through Transitions to Community Living (TCL). Today, the State reaffirms its commitment to the principles of Olmstead, and to continuing to maintain and strengthen accessible and high-quality services and supports for this community.
PRESS RELEASE — Today, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services commemorated 988 Day with the unveiling of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline signage to put in state government parking lots throughout Raleigh. These efforts, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Administration, are bringing awareness to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and support NCDHHS’ broader crisis response efforts.
MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend an event commemorating 988 Day on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Headquarters. NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai and other leadership will unveil new 988 signage that has vital information to help those in mental health crisis.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced today that the 100th Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) location in North Carolina will soon open, marking a significant milestone in efforts to reduce drug misuse and overdose deaths. The announcement comes as NCDHHS recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31 to raise awareness of services and care available for people who need it.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety will hold the first meeting of the NC Crisis System of Care Advisory Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Room 240 of the Albemarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury Street in Raleigh. The meeting is open to the public.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is partnering with the UNC School of Social Work to expand access to suicide prevention training to UNC system universities and community college campuses across the state in 2026-27.
PRESS RELEASE — While the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services works to strengthen the state’s crisis care system, new survey results show that North Carolinians are satisfied with the mental health and substance use services they receive through the LME/MCOs. NCDHHS conducts a survey each year as a reporting requirement for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These promising results come just two years after the NCGA made a historic investment in mental health care in North Carolina, indicating NCDHHS efforts to support a robust, comprehensive mental health care system are working.
PRESS RELEASE — North Carolinians living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) will have better access to services and a stronger support system under a new plan from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced text and chat options are now available on the North Carolina Peer Warmline, a 24/7 crisis response service operated by Promise Resource Network.
PRESS RELEASE — As Governor Josh Stein proclaims May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reaffirms its commitment to increasing access to care and highlights mental health services available across the state.
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 Sheriff’s Office, and Harnett County Sheriff’s Office. The announcement follows the pioneering work of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Fayetteville Police Department.
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.
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.