Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW

Director, DMH/DD/SUS

Special Edition Hot Topics

Profiles in Courage

Honoring Resilience in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

DMH/DD/SUS and the Governor’s Institute, in partnership with the Triangle Business Journal, proudly present Profiles in Courage a collection of compelling stories that reveal untold narratives of resilience during Hurricane Helene. This collection features a moving video and six in-depth feature stories that capture the voices of individuals and communities who faced unimaginable challenges with unwavering determination.

From frontline responders to everyday heroes, Profiles in Courage honors those who stood strong in the face of crisis, offering a testament to the human spirit and the power of resilience. Through these stories, we not only reflect on the impact of the storm but also celebrate the courage that carried so many through it. Join us in recognizing these remarkable journeys and the enduring strength of our communities.

Watch the Video

How North Carolina's Mental Health System Mobilized to

Save Thousands After Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene left a wake of destruction that was as disorienting as it was swift. Roads were washed out, communication systems failed and infrastructure buckled under record-breaking rainfall and wind. Yet amid the chaos, state leaders moved quickly to ensure no North Carolinian was left behind.

From those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities to individuals receiving treatment for opioid use disorder, the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services mounted an around-the-clock response — activating emergency protocols, navigating regulatory barriers and coordinating an extensive network of care partners on the ground. Read more

Vaya Health CEO Tracy Hayes on Leading Hurricane Helene Response for Vulnerable North Carolinians

When Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, few organizations were as directly responsible for safeguarding some of the state’s most vulnerable residents as Vaya Health. The public managed care organization oversees Medicaid and other public funds for people with complex behavioral health conditions, serious mental illness, severe substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries across a 32-county region. Read more

Reentry, Resilience and Recovery: How Formerly Incarcerated Volunteers Became Essential to Post-Helene Recovery

When Hurricane Helene barreled through western North Carolina in the fall of 2024, it left behind a swath of destruction, displacing thousands and compounding trauma in communities already struggling with poverty, addiction and systemic inequities. But for Rev. Philip Cooper, Founder of Operation Gateway, the storm also revealed something powerful: the strength and resilience of individuals who had spent their lives weathering personal hurricanes.

Operation Gateway supports formerly incarcerated individuals as they navigate the complex path of reentry. From job placement and addiction recovery to housing and mentorship, Cooper’s team connects people to the tools and networks they need to rebuild their lives. In the wake of Helene, those same individuals became some of the most committed volunteers in the recovery eﬀort. Read more

People Helping People: The HOPE Center Rescues Unhoused Residents During Hurricane Helene

When Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina in September 2024, Karen Russell was less than six months into her role as Director of the newly launched HOPE Center – a place whose name stands for exactly what it provided during the storm: Helping Others Persevere Every Day. Located within Burke United Christian Ministries (BUCM), the HOPE Center focuses on recovery support for individuals struggling with substance use, mental health challenges, domestic violence and other trauma.

It serves both housed and unhoused people – oﬀering everything from peer support and linkage to care, to basic needs like food, showers and transportation. But in the days surrounding Hurricane Helene, those needs intensified, and Russell and her team became a lifeline to many. Read more

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry's Disaster Response Rises to the Moment After Hurricane Helene

When Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) moved into its new facility on the south side of town last summer, staﬀ were still settling in, getting used to the larger space and the expansive warehouse that came with it. They had no idea just how critical that space would become just a few months later when Hurricane Helene blew into western North Carolina and left thousands in urgent need of food, water and basic supplies. Read more

How Daymark Recovery Services

Protected Children During Hurricane Helene

At the Caiyalynn Burrell Child Crisis Center in Asheville, N.C., the staff is used to navigating high-stress situations. As one of just two child facility-based crisis units operated by Daymark Recovery Services, the 16-bed center provides care to children in acute mental health and substance use crisis – often during the most vulnerable moments of their lives. But in late September 2024, the team was tested in ways few could have imagined. Read more

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