Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW

Director, DMHDDSUS

Hot Topics | April 15, 2025

NCDHHS Begins Capacity Restoration Services at

Wake County Detention Center

DMHDDSUS Director Kelly Crosbie joined NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai and Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe to announce a new partnership to offer additional services for defendants with mental illness whom the court has determined Incapable to Proceed to trial. Building on the success of NC RISE in Mecklenburg and Pitt Counties, the program in Wake County is part of the department’s continued work to ensure the right behavioral health care is available at the right time for all North Carolinians.

NCDHHS Mental Health Fireside Chat Sees Record Attendance

NCDHHS hosted a fireside chat and tele-town hall on mental health and crisis services that drew the highest number of callers to date for a non-Medicaid town hall. The event took place on Thursday, April 10, 2025 and drew more than 30,000 people. Panelists discussed where to find mental health resources, how to access crisis services, and when to get help.

Mounting Evidence Shows the Mental Health Collaborative Care Model in Primary Care Reduces Suicide

Three key studies have demonstrated the importance of the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) in reducing suicide risk, attempts and deaths. These studies are outlined in a new Issue Brief by the Bowman Family Foundation. In October 2024 NCDHHS invested $5 million to help providers implement CoCM services in primary care offices across the state.

Through the CoCM, primary care providers work with an integrated behavioral health case manager and a psychiatric consultant to monitor and treat patients for mild to moderate behavioral health conditions. It is designed to serve people early on by supporting primary care providers in reaching people at the onset of behavioral health symptoms.

Two of the studies in the brief showed reductions in suicide risk for over 50% of “at risk” patients receiving CoCM services. The third study found a 25% reduction in suicide attempts and deaths among more than 225,000 primary care patients who were treated using key elements of CoCM. For more information how the CoCM can help save lives, attend the upcoming webinar, Reducing Suicide Risk Through Primary Care.

Date/Time: Thursday, May 8, 2025, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

Dashboards/Reporting:

• Strategic Plan Dashboard
• 988 Performance Dashboard
• LME/MCO Dashboard

Community Engagement

Inclusion Works Autism Awareness Month Lunch & Learn

LiNC IT Autism Employment Program

Join us to learn about best practices to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and Traumatic Brain Injury on their path to achieving Competitive Integrated Employment. 

This month's lunch & Learn will focus on LiNC IT, an Autism Employment Program. We will explore the program developed by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education and its effort to use state resources to support businesses, potential employees, and employers.

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the Lunch & Learn

Post-Overdose Response Team Training

Opioid overdose has long been a leading cause of death, especially among Americans under 50. Post-Overdose Response Teams (PORT) offer a promising solution—delivering evidence-based care directly in the field and reducing both risk and the strain on emergency response teams.

This training will explore the current opioid crisis, addiction science, medication treatment, and how to build a PORT program—from assessing needs to forming partnerships, establishing protocols, and tracking outcomes.

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 23, 9:00-1:00 p.m.

Location: Stanly County Commons, 1000 N. First Street, Albemarle, NC

Registration: Register for the Training

DSP Survey Report Webinar

In collaboration the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Relias has released the fourth edition of the DSP Survey Report. The 2025 report includes findings from before and during COVID-19, along with present data.

In this webinar, experts will share:

• How and why the survey was conducted
• Insights and findings, such as the impact of DSP job satisfaction, supervision, recognition, and career advancement 
• Expert answers to the key questions in the survey report 

Date/Time: Thursday, May 1, 2025, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for Webinar

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