NC House Democrats have unveiled two bills that would add just under $1 billion in recurring spending on pay for correctional officers, troopers, court staff, and behavioral-health treatment.
Given the stakes, we can’t afford to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. There is no such thing as perfection here. There are only differences in priorities.
On this Memorial Day, the nation remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts, but many others lose their lives by suicide after they return.
When mental health care is disconnected from primary care, those at highest risk often have the least coordinated support.
An audit of $1.25 million appropriated to the NC Community College System for mental health support after Hurricane Helene has turned up some interesting purchases, including rhinoceros-shaped stress balls, foot detox sessions, and guided birdwatching.
A House committee report calls for sweeping reforms to North Carolina’s involuntary commitment system, citing gaps in mental health care and public safety.
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s new book, “The Anxious Generation,” lays out the latest research on what constant screen time is doing to America’s youth. And the trends are very troubling. Haidt shows how mental health problems, sleep deprivation, social isolation, suicide attempts, and attention fragmentation have all spiked among youth and suggests a direct link to...
When I tell my friends and colleagues that I’ve started taking ice baths each day, I usually get the same quizzical look. And I can understand why. Why I would willfully submerge myself in sub-40 degree-Fahrenheit water for six minutes is a real headscratcher. Our auto response as human beings is to seek comfort and...
Thanking a veteran for his or her service to our country is nice, yes. But the needs of the veteran community across the country are more dire than a pleasantry and platitude: it is urgent, and we must put action behind gratitude. Thankfully, the state government of North Carolina has created true courses of action...
What happens when dialing 9-1-1 doesn’t involve criminal activity? Traditionally, overburdened and shrinking law enforcement agencies are the first responders to calls involving complex social issues like homelessness, mental health crises, and substance abuse. It’s a dual role that demands a balance of authority and compassion, and for the past 50 years, North Carolina has...
Imagine being locked in a 6-foot by 8-foot closet for 22 to 24 hours a day with no access to natural light, only glaring florescent light or complete darkness. In that cramped space add a single bed, an uncovered toilet with a sink attached, and a small desk, all bolted to the concrete floor. Imagine...
