How would we experience Jackson County residents having access to mental health care in our community?

• Decrease in law enforcement involvement

• Confidence in receiving help

• Less substance misuse

• Happier overall population

• More social workers employed within the county

• More access to treatment and services

• More vocal support

• More community events centered aroun mental health

• Less medical debt

What information led to the selection of this health issue and related result?

Regarding mental health, the Community Health Assessment workgroup in 2021 identified the percent of residents experiencing suicide ideation and poor mental health to be very alarming in Jackson County.

During our group process, the following criteria were applied to the issue listed above as well as others to select priority health issues of focus for our community over the next three years:

● Criteria 1 – Relevant – How important is this issue? (Size of the problem; Severity of problem; Focus on equity; Aligned with HNC 2030; Urgency to solve problem; Linked to other important issues)

● Criteria 2 – Impactful – What will we get out of addressing this issue? (Availability of solutions/proven strategies; Builds on or enhances current work; Significant consequences of not addressing issue now)

● Criteria 3 – Feasible – Can we adequately address this issue? (Availability of resources (staff, community partners, time, money, equipment) to address the issue; Political capacity/will; Community/social acceptability; Appropriate socio-culturally; Can identify easy, short-term wins)

Participants used an open discussion to rate the priorities using the criteria listed above.

For mental health, data cycles showed that resident’s mental health had been suffering, but the COVID-19 pandemic severely exacerbated the strain on our mental health and the limited systems to address it. Jackson County had the highest suicide ideation percentage in all Western North Carolina counties, and many report ongoing days of poor mental health, seeking treatment for mental health, and not being able to get the mental health care that they need. This was and is very concerning to all involved in the CHA process and it clearly needed to be selected a priority.