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

• Public recognition of the issue of substance use & engaged community stakeholders.
• Support, including: peers, family, and agencies.
• Collaboration amongst agencies working on the issue.
• Dare County is a "can do" community, that works hard to solve its own problems.
• We have a variety of educated, dedicated, and hard working mental health professionals in our community.
• Prevelence of telehealth/remote mental health supports during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for law enforcement and first responders.
• National 988# for crisis support.
• Mental health screening being offered in primary care provider offices.

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

• Stigma and attitude.
• Struggle to recruit professionals that can provide substance use treatment services.
• Lack of affordable housing for professionals who can provide substance use treatment services, and those in recovery.
• Limited openings in mental health providers schedules.
• High cost of living paired with lack of affordable housing which impacts mental health for residents.
• Costs for mental health services.

Partners in our Community Health Improvement Process:

• Dare County Department of Health & Human Services
• Saving Lives Task Force
• Dare County Detention Center
• Community Care Clinic of Dare
• Breaking Through Task Force