On Friday, June 27th, 2026, WNC Health Network’s Meron Abebe (M.S., MBA, MPH), Director of Operations/Evaluation & Learning Advisor, along with Emily Kujawa (MPH, RD), Director of Partner Engagement, joined WNC HPI partners to share findings from the analysis. The researchers shared data across five major themes shaping youth mental health in the region—access to care, care coordination and navigation, prevention and early intervention, youth engagement and supportive spaces, and social determinants of health—and invited feedback from providers, policymakers and others regarding their experiences and insights.

The WNC HPI is pleased to highlight Remediate, a student-led health equity and patient advocacy initiative dedicated to raising awareness of healthcare disparities among youth, particularly within underserved communities, as well as providing evidence-based resources to improve health literacy and health behaviors. Click to learn more about Remediate’s work and access free health resources.

CaroNova and partners have announced the development of a major effort to ensure youth across North Carolina have increased access to the behavioral health services they need. Changing Minds: The North Carolina Youth Behavioral Health Action Plan will bring together state leaders, subject matter experts, philanthropic funders, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan that more effectively delivers youth mental health services. On Monday, March 10, 2025, CaroNova along with partners outlined how this action plan will be developed.