The "Story Behind the Curve" helps us understand why the data on adults not getting the mental health care or counseling that was needed in the past year 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. We must also note that this data was gathered in May 2021. The entire previous year was during the COVID-19 pandemic when agencies were often closed or people had more diffucult access to services. 

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

• Local churches
• Neighbors in Need
• Meridian
• Mountain Projects resilience program
• For County Employees - Employee Assistance Program
• WCU Student Health Services for students/faculty
• Additional private counseling and therapists in the area

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

• The COVID-19 pandemic interupting services
• Not enough therapists, counselors, or psychiatrists in the area
• Some are not comfortable doing telehealth for counseling services
• Transportation issues to and from appointments
• Long wait for services, even with telehealth appointments
• Environmental stressors weighing on families (meals, gas prices, etc) 
• Those released from jail have nowhere to go and no resources, not even a phone, etc
• Jackson County does not have a behavioral health unit at the hospital. Patients are usually transferred to Haywood Regional
• Resources, employee turnover, etc are always changing which makes keeping up with the changes difficult

Partners in our Community Health Improvement Process: 

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

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

• NC DHHS
• Jackson County School Board
• Local churches
• Dogwood Trust
• WNC Bridge Foundation
• Local providers like Meridian, Appalachian, Youth Villages
• Children's Hope Alliance
• Cornbread + Roses
• HERE Housing
• Department of Social Services
• Southwestern Community College

The following actions have been identified by our [team/coalition/partners] and community members 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. 

• Getting connected with a group - peer support, church family, etc
• Increasing the number of mental health providers in Jackson County
• Easier access to affordable services
• Resiliency trainings

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. 

• Health Department iniatives like Elevate 828
• Recreation Department opportunities for indoor & outdoor wellness
• Crisis intervention
• PROJECT AWARE with Jackson County Public Schools
• Circles of Security
• Youth education
• Parents as Teachers Program
• Early Intervention
• Nurse-Family Partnership

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 This Issue Say

• Increased social workers, counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists in the area are crucial

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.