The Actual Value is the number of calls received 

The Target Value is the number of calls answered

Mental health and substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life and all age groups. These illnesses are common, recurrent, and often serious but treatable, and many people recover. Mental disorders involve changes in thinking, mood, and/or behavior. These disorders can affect how we relate to others and make choices. Reaching a level that can be formally diagnosed often depends on a reduction in a person’s ability to function as a result of the disorder. (SAMHSA Website). Nearly 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. Approximately 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, and half of those people will develop conditions by age 14. Youth mental health is worsening. From 2012 to 2017, the prevalence of past-year Major Depressive Episode (MDE) increased from 8.66 percent to 13.01 percent of youth ages 12-17. Now over two million youth have MDE with severe impairment. Mental and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of disability in the U.S., accounting for 13.6% of all years of life lost to disability and premature death.

Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.  Depression, especially in midlife or older adults, can co-occur with other serious medical illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions are often worse when depression is present. 

Anxiety disorders are another very common form of mental disorder affecting our residents. Anxiety disorders are illnesses that cause people to feel frightened, distressed, and uneasy for no apparent reason.  The anxiety does not go away for a person with an anxiety disorder and can worsen over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships. Anxiety is a growing concern across the State and Cumberland County, especially among teens.  There have been recent talks with teens regarding anxiety, and they mentioned social media, technology, and school shootings as reasons for the increased stress levels.

Suicide is rising as a leading cause of death for children and adolescents. According to the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, the rate of youth suicide in North Carolina has nearly doubled over the previous decade.

• 16% of high school students in 2017 reported seriously considering suicide.
• 12% of heterosexual students and a staggering 43% of gay, lesbian, or bisexual students.

Despite this worrying trend, significant barriers remain for many who need access to mental health services. Thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts are more common among children who experience mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Over the first few months of 2020, the world was thrown into a global pandemic. As the number of cases of COVID-19 increased, so did the associated experiences of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The mental health effects of COVID-19 are as important to address as are the physical health effects – but not everyone has equal access to care