Strategies highlighted in the plan include having a statewide coordinated infrastructure, implementing and promoting safe storage practices, providing expanded mental health training in non-traditional settings and ensuring at-risk populations are reached effectively.

“We have to ensure people receive care when they need it, before they reach a crisis, especially among groups that are more vulnerable, like our teenagers, young adults and veterans,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “This collaborative effort is a step forward in creating a system that works for everyone that will have impact for generations to come.”

 

Suicide is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in North Carolina for people ages 10-65, according to data from the N.C. State Center for Health Statistics. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10-18 in North Carolina, and the second leading cause of death for those ages 19-34.

 

Additionally, military veteran residents are disproportionally impacted by suicide with the average suicide rate from 2018-2022 being 2.7 times higher among North Carolina veterans than non-veterans.

 

“Public input is essential to strengthening and shaping the continuum of mental health care in North Carolina,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. “We want to meet people where they are, in schools and in their communities, to ensure the right care at the right time.” 

 

NCDHHS is also partnering with the UNC Suicide Prevention Institute, NC DPI and Village of Care on the development of a strategic plan dedicated to preventing suicide among Black youth. This is the first strategic plan of its kind in the history of NCDHHS and was driven by data that show Black people, including the 10-24 age group, are overrepresented in suicide-related emergency department visits. 

 

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If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or need someone to talk to, you are not alone. Resources are available on the NCDHHS Suicide Prevention website for social or family situations, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, thoughts of suicide, alcohol or drug use, or if you just need someone to talk to. Our Crisis Services Communications Toolkit includes free flyers, posters and other resources to promote and explain crisis services in your community in English and Spanish. 

• For those in a mental health crisis, NCDHHS provides somewhere to go, someone to talk to and someone to respond. The 988 Lifeline Chat and Text - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available to everyone 24/7 by call, text, or chat. Targeted resources are available for Veterans, Spanish speakers, and LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. 

• North Carolinians can call the Peer Warmline (1-855-PEERS NC [855-733-7762] 24/7) to speak with a Peer Support Specialist. Peer Support Specialists (or “peers”) are people living in recovery with mental illness and/or substance use disorder who provide support to others who may have similar life experiences and can benefit from their lived experiences.