RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has announced a $20 million investment to fund a new non-law enforcement transportation program for individuals experiencing mental health crises. Made possible through the NC General Assembly, this initiative is part of an effort to provide trauma-informed, therapeutic transportation alternatives to the traditional use of law enforcement for transferring individuals from emergency rooms to residential treatment facilities.
“People in crisis need health care, not handcuffs,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “This program ensures individuals experiencing a mental health crisis are transported safely to the inpatient care they need, without the stigma and trauma that often comes with law enforcement involvement.”
Historically, many counties across North Carolina have relied on law enforcement to transport individuals in mental health distress. This often meant the use of police vehicles, lights, sirens, and sometimes handcuffs, which could escalate an already challenging situation and turn a routine transfer into a traumatic experience. The new program aims to provide a safer, more supportive alternative, decriminalizing the process of seeking mental health care.
Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, emphasized the importance of reducing barriers to mental health care. “We want people and families to feel comfortable reaching out for help when they need it. Knowing that a person may be transported in police custody can discourage individuals from seeking help. This new initiative is a critical step in ensuring that people in crisis can access the support they need without fear or stigma.”
The initiative is a part of NCDHHS’s larger $835 million investment to transform North Carolina’s behavioral health system. This investment includes efforts to build a comprehensive crisis response system, reduce emergency department boarding times, and provide faster access to mental health care across the state.
The new transportation program will initially be implemented in two regions of North Carolina, selected through a competitive request-for-proposal process. NCDHHS is collaborating with various community partners to ensure the program is effective, reducing the burden on law enforcement while ensuring officers can focus on their primary duties.
This new transportation program is a critical component of the state’s broader efforts to improve mental health services, providing a safer, more compassionate approach for those in crisis.
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