The "Story Behind the Curve" helps us understand why the data on More Than 7 Days of Poor Mental Health in Past Month 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.

Story data came from many sources: during Whole Distance Exercise with the Healthy Carolinians coalition and work group, during listening sessions/focus groups with people affected by the issue and the Healthy Impact Key Informant Interview responses on this topic.

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

• Health Department initiatives
• Increased social workers in schools and with Sylva Police
• Crisis intervention tech
• Resiliency Trainings
• Community initiatives like VAYA
• Circle of Security
• Pre-Trial Diversions / Mental Health Court
• Youth education
• Parents as Teachers Program
• Community Partner Awareness
• Outreach to the older population (Senior Center, Dept on Aging, Area Agency on Aging)
• Early Intervention
• Nurse-Family Partnership

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

• Mental Helath Stigma
• Lack of funding
• Lack of affordable housing for all
• Lack of transportation
• Not enough professionals in the area
• Low pay in WNC compared to other parts of the State
• Lack of consistency due to funding
• Good programs getting cut
• Removal of programs like music, art, etc

Partners in our Community Health Improvement Process:  

• Jackson County Department of Public Health
• Harris Regional Hospital
• Meridian Behavioral Health
• Area Agency on Aging
• Region A Partnership for Children
• Smart Start
• Safe Kids Jackson County
• HIGHTS
• Great Smokies Health Foundation
• Center for Domestic Peace
• Jackson County Parks & Recreation Department
• Western Carolina University
• Harris Regional Paramedicine
• Jackson County Public Library
• Nurse-Family Partnership
• Jackson County Public Schools
• Jackson County Department of Social Services
• Jackson County Department on Aging
• WNC Healthy Impact

Partners with a Role in Helping Our Community Do Better on This Issue: 

• NC Legislators and Senators
• NC Department of Health and Human Services
• Jackson County School Board
• Local Churches
• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Sneed
• Jackson County Transit
• Dogwood Trust 
• WNC Bridge Foundation
• Chamber of Commerce - Julie Spiro
• Harrah's Cherokee Casino
• Community Foundation WNC
• Jackson County Commissioners
• Jackson County Sheriff's Office
• Sylva Police Department
• State Highway Patrol
• Appalachian & Youth Villages
• Sylva Herald Newspaper
• Smoky Mountain News
• Cherokee One Feather
• Children's Hope Alliance
• WRGC Radio
• Cornbread + Roses
• VAYA Health
• Neighbors in Need
• HERE Housing 
• Southwestern Community College - Don Tomas 

The following actions have been identified by our Healthy Carolinians of Jackson County, community members and stakeholders as ideas for what can work for our community to make a difference on this issue. 

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

• Increasing employee pay
• Increasing minimum wage to a living wage
• PROJECT AWARE grant through Jackson County Public Schools
• Elevate 828 Mental Health/Stress Management Challenges
• Easier access to physical activity
• Affordable access to healthy foods
• Promoting awareness of mood disorders
• Promoting awareness of mental health to decrease stigma
• Increase in affordable mental health services in Jackson County
• Increase in affordable and accessible treatment services in Jackson County
• Harm reduction for substance misuse
• Publicity/ Articles on Mental Health
• Identifying viable funding sources for the area
• Mobilizing stakeholders
• Advocating to NCHFA (allocations of low income tax credits)

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 this issue. 

• PROJECT AWARE grant through Jackson County Public Schools
• Behavioral Support Specialists at Jackson County Public Schools
• Elevate 828 Mental Health/Stress Management challenges
• Employers that have increased employee salaries and wages
• Awareness around substance use disorder and decreasing stigma
• Meridian Behavioral Health Services
• Helping Inspire Gifts of Hope, Trust, and Service (HIGHTS)
• Center for Domestic Peace 
• Blue Ridge Health
• Employee Assistance Programs

Evidence-Based Strategies These are actions and approaches that have been shown to make a difference on this issue. 

What Community Members Most Affected by On-Going Poor Mental Health Say 

These are the actions and approaches recommended by members of our community who are most affected by long-term poor mental health: 

• Increased access to affordable mental health services within Jackson County
• Decrease in stigma surrounding mental health and seeking services

Process for Selecting Priority Strategies

The group of stakeholders, professionals, and community members met in July 2022 to complete the Whole Distance Exercise (WDE) on mental health in Jackson County. Throughout the WDE, participants were able to identify what results and experience they had in mind for mental health improvements, indicators for improvements, what works and what does not work, as well as partners with a role to play, and strategies. At the conclusion of the WDE, the group considered the feasibility of implementing strategies based on community capacity and will, if the strategy align with community values and political climate, and more. The group then voted on the strategies and the two chosen priorities were: Prevention Education/Awareness and Advocating for More Services and Resources in Western North Carolina.