In light of a recent surge in public safety incidents across North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein has called for sweeping investments in mental health services, emphasizing their critical role in community well-being. During a visit to Integrated Family Services in Greenville, Stein detailed his plan, which includes the soon-to-be-launched Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC), and underscored the urgency of the situation. "We must have a well-functioning mental health care system that gets people the treatment and support they need to stay healthy and keep us all safe," Stein told North Carolina Governor's Office.
Integrated Family Services, which is gearing up to open its BHUC, provides a beacon of hope in the local region. CEO Natasha Holley, recognizing the depth of the need, is committed to bringing rapid assistance to those in crisis. "The opening of our Behavioral Health Urgent Care is about making help immediate and accessible — because when someone is in crisis, they shouldn’t have to wait, and they should know exactly where to go," Holley explained in a statement obtained by the Governor's Office. Sheriff Paula Dance of Pitt County echoed this sentiment, highlighting the improved outcomes when law enforcement works in concert with mental health professionals to deescalate critical situations.
These developments come on the heels of Governor Stein's signing of House Bill 307, marking a strategic shift towards a preemptive stance on crime. By intertwining enhanced recruitment and support for law enforcement with robust violence prevention initiatives, Stein aims to create a safer North Carolina. According to the Governor's Office, mental health services are key at pivotal moments in the criminal justice process, aiding diversion from incarceration, providing in-prison treatment, and supporting post-release reintegration into the community.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is active statewide, fueling an array of behavioral health programs, from crisis interventions to justice-related services. Backing these initiatives is an $835-million injection targeting various support mechanisms, including crisis teams and re-entry programs, detailed in the 2023-2025 biennium budget. "Governor Stein is urging the General Assembly to recommit to its investments in behavioral health in order to keep building on these successes," reported the Governor's Office.
