Mental Health America of Central Carolinas

Counseling, Navigation and Awareness - Mental Health America of Central Carolinas provides free short-term counseling, mental health navigation and awareness activities. Through its free short-term counseling, the organization pays for an initial assessment and six sessions for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. This program is offered in both Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties. MHA also provides mental health navigation and information and referral services through a full-time mental health navigator and a robust website. In addition to the above services, MHA works to end stigma and break down barriers through events like Coffee & Conversation, which brings individuals together to normalize the conversation around mental health.

Mental Health Advocacy and Education-Through its advocacy work, MHA works to raise awareness around such legislative issues as funding for school-based mental health, Medicaid expansion/transformation, criminalization of mental health and other systemic issues. MHA was a sponsor of the 42nd statewide Legislative Breakfast, and had more than 100 at its annual Legislative Breakfast in early 2020. MHA provides at no charge Mental Health First Aid and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Trainings. In the past year, 774 were trained, despite the shift to virtual trainings in April 2020.

ParentVOICE-MHA provides information, support and opportunities that strengthen youth with mental health challenges, as well as their family/caregivers, to learn, lead, participate and advocate for quality services and successful outcomes. The program served 222 family members in the past year. ParentVOICE also provides an opportunity for families to connect with others facing similar issues. Participating families learn to successfully navigate the mental health, educational, and juvenile justice systems; have the tools to feel empowered; and increase self-advocacy skills. In 2019-2020, ParentVOICE served 222 family members reached including 108 individuals in Cabarrus County. PhotoVoice, a digital storytelling project, for 12-18 year-olds, promotes self-expression and help break stigma around mental health concerns.