RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina health officials say new investments in behavioral and mental health services are showing measurable progress across the state.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released its year-one progress report on the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services’ 2024-2029 strategic plan, highlighting expanded crisis services, workforce initiatives and substance use treatment programs.
State leaders point to several developments in 2025, including the opening of seven new Behavioral Health Urgent Care centers and one new facility-based crisis center.
What You Need To Know
North Carolina health leaders say investments in behavioral and mental health services are paying off
The state’s health department released its year-one progress report backing the findings
Workers share support for the positive expansions, while working to meet growing access needs
The department also launched two mobile opioid treatment programs aimed at reaching underserved communities and reported distributing more than 150,000 naloxone kits through partnerships.
According to the report, the number of people receiving services through opioid treatment centers increased by 9% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. “
“We are building a healthier North Carolina that puts people first, meeting their health needs at the right time and in the setting that is best for them,” NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai said in a statement.
Frontline service providers say the progress outlined in the report reflects what they are seeing locally, but demand for services is a growing need.
Lauren Kestner is the director of the Queen City Harm Reduction Division at the Center for Prevention Services, serving Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.
Kestner said her team continues to meet steady need.
“Anywhere between 150-300 people [are] coming in and out of here over the course of a week,” Kestner said. “We work directly with people who use drugs and are historically marginalized.”
Kestner said grant funding from NCDHHS helped expand the organization’s harm reduction and prevention services.
“They’re how we even had a chance,” Kestner said.
In Rowan County, a new Behavioral Health Urgent Care center opened in March 2025, providing “an alternative to Emergency Room and Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitalization for individuals who have a mental illness and/or substance use disorder.”
The BHUC is operated by Daymark Recovery Services, through partnership with DHHS, Vaya Health, the Rowan County Government, Rowan County United Way and other partners.
Michelle Ivey, chief program officer for outpatient and community-based services for Daymark Recovery Services, said the urgent care is seeing significant demand.
“We see on average, over 100 people a month,” Ivey said.
Ivey said state funding has been one instrumental source with launching and sustaining the urgent care model, which allows individuals to receive crisis stabilization and behavioral health services without insurance or out-of-pocket costs.
“It allows individuals to seek care, whether it be for substance use disorder or behavioral health issues, or even a respite-type stay, which means a person is in crisis but they can return home, but they need a cooling off period,” Ivey said.
Although the DHHS is showing noticeable progress with expansion services, access challenges persist.
Federal data show millions of Americans live in designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas, contributing to delays in care and limited provider availability.
The urgent care model in Rowan County is helping reduce barriers by diverting individuals from emergency departments and connecting them to services more quickly.
“A person does not have to have insurance to come here. There is no co-pay, no out-of-pocket, so a person just needs to show up,” Ivey said.
Looking ahead, Kestner said sustained funding will be critical to maintaining momentum for organizations working to help neighbors in need of help.
“I think that we’re in a very uncertain moment of time when it comes to funding,” Kestner said. “This isn’t work that can be done in just a few years.”
Health leaders say expanding access, strengthening partnerships and building the behavioral health workforce remain priorities as the state continues implementing its strategic plan.
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