Bright Path Behavioral Health has appointed Michael Carroll as vice president of growth and development, enhancing its executive team with his extensive experience in behavioral health business development. Carroll will oversee business development strategies, foster community and professional partnerships, and advance the organization’s initiatives in adolescent mental health care across North Carolina.
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Carroll brings nearly 20 years of experience in business development, sales, and relationship building, including eight years specifically in behavioral health care. He has collaborated with Bright Path for over five years, gaining an in-depth understanding of its leadership, programs, and focus on adolescent care.
Dr. Shantel Sullivan, CEO of Bright Path Behavioral Health, expressed enthusiasm about Carroll’s appointment, stating, "He brings deep experience in adolescent behavioral health and a relationship-centered approach to growth. I’m excited to welcome him to our leadership team as we strengthen community partnerships and work to make care more accessible to teens and families."
Carroll earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in 2007 and transitioned to the behavioral health field in 2018, focusing on substance use and mental health treatment. His recent work has been dedicated to adolescent mental health, emphasizing relationships with clinicians, treatment providers, and educational consultants.
"Having collaborated with Bright Path for more than five years, I know the people and the mission, and I believe in the care this team provides," Carroll said. He noted the challenges families in the Carolinas face in accessing the appropriate care for their teens and expressed a goal for every family in the region to have access to high-quality adolescent treatment programs within a 45-minute drive.
This new appointment coincides with a national concern regarding access to adolescent mental health services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicated that 27.6% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 received mental health treatment, while 42.3% of those who experienced a major depressive episode, approximately 1.6 million young people, did not receive care.
Bright Path Behavioral Health operates partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for adolescents aged 12 to 18 at its locations in Wake Forest and Hillsborough. Its clinical offerings include Dialectical Behavior Therapy, individual and group therapy, psychiatric services, academic support, and family involvement, with facilities holding CARF accreditation and state licensing.
In his new role, Carroll aims to build relationships with referral partners, raise awareness about available mental health services, and support responsible growth plans for Bright Path, strengthening connections among clinicians, schools, and professionals to help families access adolescent mental health treatment.