The "Story Behind the Curve" helps us understand why the data on poor mental health is the way that it is in our community. When we understand the root causes of our community problems, we have a better chance of finding the right solutions, together.

According to the community health survey results, the percent of individuals claiming to receive the social and emotional support that they need has decreased over the last three years from 85% in 2018 to 71% in 2021. At the same time, those that reported not receiving mental health care or counseling services that they need has increased 210% since 2015, from 6.2% to 19.2% (WNC Health Network, 2021).
 
Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death with depression/anxiety/stress identified as a critical issue to address (Graham County CHA 2021).

What's Helping? These at the positive forces are work in our community and beyond that influence this issue in our community.

• Celebrate Recovery
• Faith Based Community
• Strong Family Connections
• Appalachian Community Services
• Graham County Schools Crisis Prevention Team

What's Hurting? These at the negative forces are work in our community and beyond that influence this issue in our community.

• Lack of resources
• Stigma
• Isolation
• No healthy living activities

The partners for this adults with poor mental health days indicator include:

The following actions have been identified by our Substance Use Coalition and community members as ideas for what can work for our community to make a difference on mental health.

Actions and Approaches Identified by Our Partners These are actions and approaches that our partners think can make a difference on poor mental health.

• Mental Health First Aid
• ACEs training
• Peer Support
• Strengthening Families Program

What is Currently Working in Our Community These are actions and approaches that are currently in place in our community to make a difference on poor mental health.

• Celebrate Recovery
• Appalachian Community Services
• Peer Support Specialists

Evidence-Based Strategies These are actions and approaches that have been shown to make a difference on poor mental health.

What Community Members Most Affected by Poor Mental Health Say These are the actions and approaches recommended by members of our community who are most affected by poor mental health. 

• Education for school staff

Process for Selecting Priority Strategies

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

• Criteria 1 – Relevant – How important is this issue? (Urgency to solve problem; community concern; Focus on equity; 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 a modified Hanlon method to rate the priorities using the criteria listed above.  Then dot-voting techniques were used to narrow to the top 3 priority health issues.