The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is funding the Mental Health First Aid program at UNC Chapel Hill to provide mental health support to young people. Alicia Freeman, a participant in the program and a staff member at UNC since 2019, highlighted the lack of mental health resources in her rural southeastern North Carolina community, motivating her to assist others with mental health challenges.

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The Mental Health First Aid program, initiated in 2015 as a pilot project, offers training to help individuals recognize and respond to mental health and substance use issues. This year, the program will receive state funding to expand its reach to additional college campuses.

In a news release from September 9, state officials announced that the North Carolina chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness will collaborate in promoting these training opportunities across UNC system schools and community colleges. The importance of improving mental health support is underscored by rising concerns about mental health among college students. Jennifer Rothman, director of youth and young adult initiatives at NAMI, noted that 75% of all lifetime mental illnesses manifest by age 24 and that 68% of students report mental health issues affecting their academic performance.

Kelly Crosbie, assistant secretary for mental health services at NCDHHS, expressed concern over climbing suicide rates among youth in North Carolina, describing it as a public health emergency. Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death among those aged 10 to 18 and the second for individuals aged 19 to 34.

Recent data indicates a troubling trend at North Carolina State University, where 12 students died by suicide in 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, UNC Chapel Hill experienced three student suicides within a single semester in 2021. In response to the alarming number of suicides, both universities have stepped up mental health crisis interventions.

N.C. State has developed a mental health task force to propose recommendations for enhancing student mental health and has instituted Wellness Days to promote mental health awareness. In fall 2023, N.C. State joined the JED Campus network, focusing on better mental health outcomes in higher education.

Since 2022, UNC Chapel Hill has trained over 1,600 students, staff, and faculty in Mental Health First Aid, aiming to train an additional 600 participants in the upcoming year. The effectiveness of the program is evident as it has transitioned from a pilot initiative to a widespread campus effort. All nursing students at UNC are now required to undergo this training, which includes both online and in-person components.

Freeman noted that staff from various departments, especially those likely to encounter students in distress, have been among the first to participate. The training equips participants to effectively address mental health issues, including understanding how to ask direct questions about suicidal thoughts.

Though funding challenges arose due to delays in the state budget, the program is now positioned to hire additional staff to enhance training efforts. NAMI North Carolina's Sara Newhan will work with schools to expand access to Mental Health First Aid training. Both Newhan and Rothman indicated that, while young adults discuss mental health more openly, access to necessary treatment and support remains crucial. They are committed to establishing student-run NAMI On Campus clubs to further foster mental health awareness and education.