What we do:
Community Support
Provide a continuum of resources to allow individuals to focus on recovery and well-being for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, meeting basic needs—such as housing, stable income, food security, and safe environments—is crucial for successful and sustained treatment and recovery. When these needs are unmet, people are more likely to cycle through homelessness, jails, shelters, and hospitals, exacerbating personal suffering and imposing high costs on society. The lack of access to these essentials often triggers the need for crisis behavioral health services. Re-establishing these foundational supports, with a focus on equity and culturally appropriate care, is critical for enabling individuals to reclaim their health and achieve long-term recovery.
Crisis Support
Act early and manage crisis in an appropriate setting for adults and youth experiencing urgent or emergent behavioral health needs, there needs to be a continuum of services with sufficient capacity to assess and address the need in a timely manner. Ideally, this should be accomplished with community resources and facilities and not in the hospital or the county jail. This means providing sufficient services in collaboration with partners, which include mobile and community-based services, facility-based assessment and stabilization services, and adequate programs to receive referrals after a crisis.
Justice Involvement
Reduce incarceration and justice involvement of individuals with behavioral health needs the criminal justice system should not be a default pathway for behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Even brief incarceration can lead to adverse consequences, including loss of employment and future employment opportunities, poorer physical and behavioral health, loss of housing and future housing opportunities, and disruptions in family life and social connections.
Navigation and Coordination
Accessible appropriate and coordinated care when needed facilitate a streamlined, equitable, and culturally appropriate system that ensures all individuals and families, regardless of background, can easily navigate and access the right level of behavioral health services—including mental health and substance use treatment. We will prioritize equity by addressing barriers faced by historically marginalized communities and tailoring services to be inclusive and responsive to diverse cultural needs. By enhancing coordination across service providers, we will support seamless transitions, improve connections between healthcare, community resources, and social supports, and foster trust in the system. Through better communication, integration, and culturally competent care, we aim to reduce confusion, prevent unnecessary use of emergency services, and provide timely, person-centered support—especially in response to changes in North Carolina’s Medicaid program.
Youth and Families
Support well-being and resilience of our youth and families. С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County is committed to reducing barriers to healthcare and behavioral health services for youth and their families in our community. Our approach focuses on early identification and intervention, culturally responsive care, and enhanced access to essential services. By implementing targeted initiatives and monitoring key measures, we aim to improve overall well-being and ensure timely, equitable support for those in need.
Business Operations
Deliver professional business services to ensure that all stakeholders receive efficient and appropriate support from our department and department effectively achieves business goals.
Contact Us
behavioralhealth@wake.gov
919-856-2707
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m.