North Carolina is expanding its mental health care resources to improve access to crisis services. A new Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) center opened in Pitt County and will begin accepting clients on Monday, October 27. As reported by NCDHHS, this facility is part of a network of urgent care centers opened over the past 18 months as part of a larger investment in the mental health system.
Governor Josh Stein stated that the centers are providing timely care and supporting community health and safety. During his visit to the Pitt County BHUC before its opening, he emphasized the importance of continuing this progress, saying in a press release, "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 state has opened BHUCs in six other counties as part of expanding mental health services.
This effort is supported by a $13.5 million commitment from NCDHHS to Trillium for establishing community crisis centers and BHUCs in several counties, including Lenoir, New Hanover, and Pitt. NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai described the plan as a long-term approach to improving mental health services in North Carolina. These centers focus on mental health specialties and provide 24-hour access to mental health experts, serving as an alternative to emergency room visits for mental health or substance use crises.
Kelly Crosbie, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, said it is important to provide care in the right place. She explained that BHUCs offer an option other than the Emergency Room for people having a mental health crisis. At BHUCs, trained staff provide focused and caring help in a more comfortable setting. New BHUC locations are chosen based on local mental health data, current crisis services, and community partnerships.
Residents in Lenoir and Wake counties are scheduled to receive similar resources in 2026. The Wake County BHUC will be located within the WakeBrook Behavioral Health Facility. This expansion is part of NCDHHS’s collaboration with Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs) to increase the mental health crisis care network statewide.
