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"Suicides and suicide attempts have far-reaching and lasting impact on family and friends and the broader community," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. "This plan will strengthen infrastructure, expand access to care, and address risk and protective factors, with a focus on populations disproportionately impacted by suicide, including youth, veterans, older adults, and people from access challenged communities."
In North Carolina, suicide is among the top five leading causes of death for people ages 10 to 65 and is the fourth leading cause of death for youth ages 10-18. The average suicide rate among military veterans was 2.7 times higher than non-veterans from 2018-22.
The plan includes strategies to build coordinated prevention systems, reduce access to lethal means, increase community awareness and skills, improve identification and support for at-risk populations, enhance crisis-response capacity, expand access to high-quality suicide care, and measure impact through robust surveillance. The plan also prioritizes rural communities that may not have existing support networks.
"We are grateful for the input of the public and our many partners as we work to prevent suicide in our state. With this collaboration, we have a strong five-year plan that details the strategies we will use to continue this crucial work," said Kelly Crosbie MSW LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. "Bottom line, we want a system that meets people where they are, in schools and in their communities, to ensure the right care at the right time."
Nearly 1,600 suicides were recorded in North Carolina in 2023, according to data from the N.C. Violent Death Reporting System.
Strategies included in the plan were shaped by internal subject matter experts through a review of the most recent statewide suicide data, evidence-based strategies, the 2024 Health and Human Services National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, and feedback from more than 170 of public comments. Comments were from a broad range of sectors and perspectives including clinicians, parents, community advocates, school staff and people with suicide-centered lived experience.
"We are grateful for the valuable feedback we received from the public," said Hannah Harms, State Suicide Prevention Coordinator for NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. "We incorporated many of those comments and ideas into the plan, and we will continue seeking opportunities to expand and strengthen this work in North Carolina."
Components of the plan include expanding mental health training for the non-clinical workforce, such as barbers and other community members, expanding mental health services in school settings, educating older adults and their families about the increased risks of social isolation and loneliness, and enhancing mental health treatment engagement and support programs for justice-involved individuals.
This action plan will be collaboratively implemented during the next five years by NCDHHS and external community partners.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which aims to raise awareness, spread hope, and spark meaningful action around this critical mental health issue. NCDHHS is committed to transforming mental health care in North Carolina by building a system that works for everyone so that all people have access to the quality services that meet their needs.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or need someone to talk to, you are not alone. Resources are available on the NCDHHS Suicide Prevention website for social or family situations, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, thoughts of suicide, alcohol or drug use, or if you just need someone to talk to. Our Crisis Services Communications Toolkit includes free flyers, posters and other resources to promote and explain crisis services in your community in English and Spanish.
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For Deaf and Hard of Hearing, dial 988 on videophone or go to the 988 Lifeline website and click on “Deaf/HoH” button and it will link you directly to a live ASL-fluent counselor. You can also text 988 on your phone or use the live chat option as well.
- North Carolinians can call the Peer Warmline (1-855-PEERS NC [855-733-7762]) 24/7 to speak with a Peer Support Specialist. Peer Support Specialists (or “peers”) are people living in recovery with mental illness and/or substance use disorder who provide support to others who may have similar life experiences and can benefit from their lived experiences.
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NCDHHS crisis services include mobile crisis teams that can come to you and community crisis centers, which are safe places where you can get help from a licensed clinician, without needing to go to the emergency room.
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