NCDHHS Committed to Increasing Mental Health Care in North Carolina
Monday, October 20, 2025
(0 Comments)
Posted by: NASWNC Associate
NCDHHS Committed to Increasing
Mental Health Care in North Carolina
New behavioral health urgent care center
to open in Eastern North Carolina
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Trillium Health Resources and Integrated Family Services PLLC celebrated the state’s continued investment in building a comprehensive mental health system today with a ribbon-cutting at a new Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) in Pitt County. The facility will open its doors to clients on Monday, Oct. 27. NCDHHS is committed to ensuring there is someone to contact, someone to respond and a safe place to go if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.
The location in Pitt County is the seventh that NCDHHS has helped launch in the past 18 months. Since May 2024, BHUCs in Alamance, Buncombe, Caldwell, Haywood, Rockingham and Rowan counties have all begun services, funded in part by the state’s historic investment in the mental health system.
"I had the opportunity to visit Pitt County’s BHUC last week right before it opened, and I was impressed by what I saw," said Governor Josh Stein. "These mental health crisis centers are making a difference in people’s lives and creating healthier and safer communities, ensuring people receive the care they need precisely when they need it. We must maintain this positive momentum as we work together to build a mental health care system that makes everyone in North Carolina healthier and safer."
The Pitt County BHUC is part of $13.5 million NCDHHS awarded Trillium to open community crisis centers and BHUCs in Lenoir, New Hanover and Pitt counties. The investment is part of a two-year plan announced in April 2024 to increase the state’s capacity to provide behavioral health urgent care by nearly 50%.
"The investments we are making in improving our mental health system offer long-term solutions to better serve all North Carolinians," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. "We are focused on building a comprehensive mental health crisis system of care for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis."
While traditional urgent care facilities focus on physical health, behavioral health urgent care facilities specialize in substance use and mental health services for children and adults, which can be especially helpful in moments of crisis. A BHUC can help relieve pressure on emergency departments by providing 24-hour access to mental health specialists who can assist with diagnosis and assessment, medication management and treatment options.
"Getting our loved ones the best care possible in the right space is a critical component of building a mental health system that meets the needs of all North Carolinians," said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. "BHUC’s give people experiencing a mental health crisis an alternative to going to an Emergency Room. At BHUC’s they will find staff specifically trained to provide focused and compassionate care in a more comfortable setting."
NCDHHS is partnering with the state’s Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs) to expand BHUCs across North Carolina. NCDHHS chose the new locations based on several criteria, including regional data on the number of people waiting for mental health care in emergency departments, availability of existing crisis services and partnerships with preexisting community services.
"The Behavioral Health Urgent Care represents a pivotal step forward for our community — a place where individuals can find help, hope, and stability 24 hours a day," said Natasha Holley, CEO of Integrated Family Services. "This center was built on partnership and purpose: to ensure no one in crisis has to face it alone. We’re deeply grateful to Trillium Health Resources, our local leaders, and our incredible team for helping turn this vision into reality."
Facilities in Lenoir and Wake counties are expected to open in 2026, and NCDHHS will share more information regarding these facilities closer to their opening date. The Wake County BHUC will be part of the WakeBrook Behavioral Health Facility and will be operated by Recovery Innovations.
###
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or substance use, you are not alone. You can get support for social or family situations, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, thoughts of suicide, alcohol or drug use or just reach someone to talk to by going to the North Carolina Crisis Services Website, which includes a searchable map of all community crisis facilities, including BHUCs. These community crisis centers are safe places where you can get help from a licensed clinician, without needing to go to the emergency room. NCDHHS crisis services also include mobile crisis teams where a mental health specialist will meet you in a safe place for free, day or night.
Anyone experiencing distress can also call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org and speak with a trained mental health specialist. People who speak Spanish can now connect directly to Spanish-speaking crisis counselors by calling 988 and pressing option 2, texting “AYUDA” to 988, or chatting online at 988lineadevida.org or 988Lifeline.org. For additional support, call the NCDHHS Peer Warmline at 1-855-PEERS NC (855-733-7762) to speak with a peer support specialist, someone who understands.
|
Print Page
Email to a Friend
