Governor Josh Stein Proclaims May Mental Health Awareness Month
Governor Josh Stein holds up a copy of the proclamation at an event to celebrate the announcement of May as Mental Health Awareness Month (via Gov. Stein’s Instagram)
On May 1, 2025, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein officially proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month. On his official Facebook page, Gov. Stein shared that, “May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I look forward to working with partners across the state to reduce stigma and raise awareness so we can build a safer, stronger, and healthier North Carolina.“
Mental health is a critical issue for Western North Carolina. “In WNC there has been a steady increase in the percent of adults reporting that they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with life, which rose from 5% in 2015 to 10% in 2021” (via WNC Health Network). And the trends are not promising - early results from the most recent round of CHA surveys (shared with the WNC HPI on Dec 6, 2024) show that 11% of respondents reported having considered suicide in past year, up from 7% in 2021, with the highest rates coming from LGBTQ+ respondents (28%), very low income groups and younger adults (18-39) (19% each). At the same time, the number of people reporting they were unable to access mental health services in the past year continued to climb from 2012 (6.6%) to 2024 (19.7%). It is also worth noting that, due to the timing of these surveys, none of those findings reflect the impact that Hurricane Helene’s devastation has had and will continue to have on the region.
Especially now, in the wake of that disaster, greater resources, awareness, programs, and policy supports are needed to address current and trending areas of concern when it comes to supporting the mental health of all Western North Carolinians. Our thanks go out to Gov. Stein for bringing greater awareness and focus to this pressing health concern.
Learn More
View a video of Gov. Stein speaking about the Proclamation here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16FZUPbSqc/
Read the Governor’s Proclamation here: https://governor.nc.gov/governor-proclaims-mental-health-awareness-month/open
Check out these resources from WNC Health Network:
Mental Health in Western North Carolina data, collected via the WNC Community Health Assessments conducted every three years throughout WNC
The View From Here WNC campaign which. “acts as a mouthpiece for resident stories about what managing mental health looks like for them.“
Get Engaged/Get Help
The following list of resources was shared in the May 9 NC Dept. of Health and Human Services newsletter:
Anyone can call, chat or text 988 for any reason 24/7. 988 can help you find additional resources that you or your family may need. It is free and confidential.
The NC Peer Warmline (1-855-PEERS-NC) is a free, private phone number you can call day or night to talk with someone who understands. You’ll be connected to someone who has personal experience with mental health or substance use disorders.
The NC Recovery Helpline connects individuals to substance use treatment providers and other recovery-related resources throughout NC. It supports callers by helping them navigate the behavioral health systems and providing follow-up until they are connected to sufficient support.
Community crisis centers are safe places to get mental health help without going to the emergency room. They offer immediate help with mental health needs and treatment for alcohol or drug addiction. Most are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you don’t need an appointment.
Somethings is a free mentoring program connecting teens with a Certified Peer Specialist Mentor and clinical providers to help them feel their best.
The Suicide Prevention Resources website includes Suicide and Crisis Lifelines, how to talk about suicide and resources for you and your community.
