Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the launch of a two-year pilot program in which 22 Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) for youth, operated by seven provider agencies, will begin using an innovative system called Ukeru® to de-escalate crises. Ukeru is a safe and comforting alternative to restraint and seclusion, which are high-risk techniques used to contain someone who is considered a danger to themselves or others.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Community College System have partnered to launch an Advanced Training Certificate program for current Direct Support Professionals or people interested in pursuing a career in the field. The DSP workforce is critical in helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, work and thrive in communities of their choice. They provide a wide range of supports from daily tasks like bathing, eating and taking medications to connecting people with community resources and employment opportunities.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Talkspace, a virtual therapy platform now available for free to justice-impacted teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 in North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and First Lady Anna Stein, in collaboration with Shatterproof, announced the launch of the Unshame North Carolina (Unshame NC) campaign to end stigma related to substance use disorder. Unshame NC has two primary goals: to increase knowledge and awareness of substance use disorder and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) as a treatment option.

PRESS RELEASE — In response to a sharp increase in suicide rates among young Black youth, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announces the NC Black Youth Suicide Prevention Action Plan. Coinciding with the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, this effort sheds light on communities which have been marginalized, where mental health challenges persist, and outlines initiatives to be implemented over the next five years to reduce injury and save the lives of Black youth and young adults.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend a meeting of the Wake County Drug Overdose Coalition to hear from Dev Sangvai, Secretary, NC Department of Health and Human Services, First Lady of North Carolina Anna Stein, and NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services Director Kelly Crosbie. The meeting will focus on addressing stigma related to substance use.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services this week celebrates three years of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides help and support for anyone suffering from depression, anxiety or interpersonal/family issues or who just needs someone to talk to during a time of personal crisis. North Carolina is a national leader in 988 implementation with a focus on answering every call and ensuring every person gets the care they need. A recent survey shows many people reported feeling hopeful, grateful and motivated after calling 988 with more than 90% finding the service valuable in their community. Additionally, 33% of people in the survey say 988 saved their life or the life of someone they care about.

STATEMENT — The United States Department of Health and Human Services recently announced it would eliminate federal funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline service dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth services. On July 17, 2025, people who call 988 will no longer have the option to Press 3, specific to LGBTQ+ youth considering suicide. In response, and to reaffirm North Carolina’s commitment to serving everyone who calls 988 for crisis care, Kelly Crosbie, NCDHHS Director of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services, released the following statement.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of a new behavioral health urgent care respite center for children and families in eastern North Carolina. In partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Life Changing Behavioral Health Services, and Trillium Health Resources, the Life Changing Behavioral Health Urgent Care respite facility will open June 17, 2025.

PRESS RELEASE — As part of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services commitment to transforming mental health care, the department is seeking public comment on its Suicide Prevention Action Plan (2026-2030). This work is critical in improving the lives of all North Carolinians and addressing the mental health crisis. The public is invited to read the plan and provide feedback by July 9, 2025.

MEDIA ADVISORY — North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai is traveling to western North Carolina to learn about recovery efforts and highlight mental health resources available to people impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Secretary will also visit a Healthy Opportunities Pilot program providing essential services to people recovering from the storm. Credentialed media are invited to attend the visit at Love and Respect Community for Recovery and Wellness in Hendersonville on June 12, 2025, at 12:45 p.m., and the visit at Caja Solidaria in Hendersonville on June 12, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Together, Love and Respect and Caja Solidaria has served as a hub of recovery efforts following Helene.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will hold a discussion on the Olmstead Plan and its mission to improve the lives and well-being of people with disabilities at the i2i Center for Integrative Health Spring 2025 Conference. The event is open to credentialed media and will take place on Monday, June 9, at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills Hotel from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, May 13, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss how people can support their mental well-being, find resources and get help for themselves or someone else who is struggling with mental health or experiencing a crisis.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the release of a new dashboard highlighting the success of North Carolina’s Peer Warmline. The Warmline is a free resource for people experiencing emotional difficulty, mental health issues, substance use challenges, or for those who just need to talk with someone who understands what they are going through. Since launch, warmline counselors have received more than 67,000 calls, and 99% of callers who responded to a recent survey expressed satisfaction with the support they received. The dashboard launch coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office are partnering to offer additional services for defendants with mental illness whom the court has determined Incapable to Proceed (ITP) to trial. Building on the success of NC RISE in Mecklenburg and Pitt Counties, the program in Wake County is part of the department’s continued work to ensure the right behavioral health care is available at the right time for all North Carolinians.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Leaders from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office will hold a joint news conference at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Wake County Detention Center, located at 3301 Hammond Road in Raleigh, North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced funding to community-based programs in Western North Carolina that provide alternatives to incarceration. The $6.5 million will support diversion programs and reentry services in counties that were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. These counties include, but are not limited to, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Rutherford, Surry and Wilkes.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, April 10, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss how people can support their mental well-being, find resources and get help for themselves or someone else experiencing a mental health crisis.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Thursday, March 13, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how people can support their mental well-being, find resources for youth and adults in North Carolina and get help for themselves or someone else experiencing a mental health crisis.

PRESS RELEASE — As part of its Direct Support Professional Workforce Plan, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is announcing $3 million to recruit and retain direct support professionals. This workforce is critical in helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, work and thrive in communities of their choice. They provide a wide range of supports from daily tasks like bathing, eating and taking medications to connecting people with community resources and opportunities.