CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is launching a statewide program to expand and improve mental health resources. The school’s Carolina Across 100 is partnering with UNC Suicide Prevention Institute to lower the number of suicides.

What You Need To Know

  • UNC is launching a statewide program to expand and improve mental health resources

  • Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in the state for youth ages 10 to 18 in North Carolina

  • Communities can apply to participate in the program until July 28

Statistics released from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services show suicide is the second-leading cause of death in the state for youth ages 10 to 18 and the third-leading cause of death for those ages 19 to 34. The groups will join forces with local and government agencies as well as schools and colleges to identify and implement strategies to prevent suicide and improve resources available for mental and behavioral health.

“In some ways, I think the best value we give communities is to share some data, to give them a chance to dig into that data and then let them talk to each other about what’s working and what’s not,” said Anita Brown-Graham, Gladys Hall Coates distinguished professor of public law and government at the UNC School of Government.

According to a press release from UNC, “Over the next 12 months, Carolina Across 100 and the UNC Suicide Prevention Institute will facilitate a cohort of cross-sector community collaboratives focused on implementing strategies to prevent suicide and suicidal ideation and improve resources available for mental and behavioral health.”

Participating communities will engage a broad array of organizations, including local government agencies, school systems, institutions of higher education, health care providers as well as faith- and community-based organizations. They will work together to identify community needs and target populations, align existing resources and programs and develop plans to implement evidence-based prevention strategies.

The Suicide Prevention Institute will provide participating communities with expertise in selecting the proven interventions that best suit their communities, and then help implement those interventions in an effective and sustainable way. 

Communities can apply to participate in the program until July 28 and that application is available on the Carolina Across 100’s website.

“Every suicide is a tragic event,” Brown-Graham said. “Our goal with this project is to help North Carolina communities get more involved in prevention efforts.” 

If you or someone you know is having mental health issues, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day and can be reached by dialing 9-8-8.