#United States #Raleigh #mental health #North Carolina #Somethings

North Carolina's Mental Health Initiative Renewal

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has solidified its ongoing commitment to enhancing mental health services tailored for teens and young adults by renewing its partnership with Somethings. This comprehensive program has shown compelling results, with over 2.1 million messages exchanged between North Carolina teens and certifi ed peer mentors in the last two years alone.

A Statewide Response to a Critical Need

Mental health issues among youth in North Carolina have reached critical levels; a recent survey revealed that 16% of high school students seriously considered suicide, with 39% expressing feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Alarmingly, North Carolina only meets 13% of its mental health workforce requirements, making initiatives like this invaluable.

Kelly Crosbie, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, emphasized the importance of accessible support for young people. “This program aims to connect teens with compassionate support, particularly in rural and underserved communities, illustrating the urgency of early intervention.”

Reaching the Hardest-to-Access Youth

Over the past two years, the program has achieved swift response times, averaging just three minutes, which is critical in a field where timely care can drastically impact outcomes. A staggering 98% of participants come from Health Professional Shortage Areas, and over half identify as youth of color. Remarkably, for many teens—60%—this marked their first interaction with mental health services. Participants rated their experiences positively, averaging 4.7 out of 5.

The data also indicates that the program is catering to a population with high needs; enrolled teens show a symptom burden two to four times greater than the general adolescent population. At intake, 70% of these teens scored in the moderate-to-severe range on validated measures. Follow-ups revealed that 76% of participants improved their scores on at least one measure, indicating the program’s effectiveness.

Positive Outcomes for High-Risk Youth

Data suggest that the initiative is particularly beneficial for young people grappling with suicidal thoughts. Among participants who screened positive for such thoughts—who were monitored during the follow-up—87% either stabilized or showed no worsening of their condition. Furthermore, 54% reported improvements, while an impressive 39% achieved full resolution of suicidal ideation. Each mentor is trained to handle such sensitive issues and to follow structured protocols that guide participants towards further care when necessary.

Cost-Effective Mental Health Support

This program doesn’t just provide emotional support; it represents a significant return on investment for the state of North Carolina. By addressing crises locally and reducing the need for emergency interventions, the program drastically cuts healthcare costs, which has been estimated to yield a return of 31 times the initial state investment. It also aids in creating employment opportunities by hiring mentors from the communities they serve, fostering a sustainable workforce for future mental health services.

Mentors like Holiday King share firsthand experiences that demonstrate the power of this program. “Working as a mentor has opened my eyes to the necessity for mental health care access,” King commented. Inspired by witnessing the impact of peer support, King is pursuing a Master’s degree in social work.

About Somethings and NCDHHS

Founded in 2021, Somethings offers an innovative digital platform that connects teens aged 13 to 26 with trained peer mentors. Their goal of building resilience in youth is bolstered through collaborations with healthcare organizations and schools. Meanwhile, the NCDHHS’s Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services is committed to improving the overall well-being of North Carolinians, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive critical support.

With renewed partnerships and ongoing efforts like these, North Carolina is making strides in addressing mental health challenges faced by its youth, fostering hope and encouraging resilience throughout its communities.