Governor Stein Visits Greenville to Highlight the Importance of Behavioral Health Investments

NORTH CAROLINA, April 3 - Today Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai visited the East Carolina University Health Behavioral Health Hospital to highlight the critical role that mental and behavioral health services play in keeping North Carolina safe. ECU Health’s 144-bed facility, opened in partnership with Acadia Healthcare, provides inpatient and intensive outpatient psychiatric services for adults and seniors, with plans to expand care to children and adolescents over time. 

“ECU Health’s behavioral health hospital is helping the state pursue two crucial goals: connecting more people to mental health care and bringing people’s care closer to home,” said Governor Josh Stein. “As the General Assembly returns to session later this month, I look forward to working with them to invest in people’s health care, including their mental health, and appropriately value the workforce that keeps North Carolinians healthy and safe.”

“Ensuring North Carolinians have access to quality mental health care when and where they need it is essential to support whole-person health and well-being,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “NCDHHS is committed to expanding and improving access to behavioral health care across the state through investments in facilities like ECU Health’s Behavioral Health Hospital.”

“As the only dedicated inpatient behavioral health facility within 75 miles, the care teams at ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital are committed to improving lives and elevating communities by illuminating paths to healing for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges,” said Tyler Davis, CEO of ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital. “Investing in behavioral health care in rural eastern North Carolina is critical to addressing geographic and socioeconomic barriers and ensuring patients can access care close to home. We are grateful for Governor Stein’s visit and continued commitment to strengthening behavioral health services for the communities we serve.” 

Earlier this month, Governor Stein called on the General Assembly to pass a $1.4 billion Critical Needs Budget that addresses North Carolina’s most urgent needs while lawmakers continue to work on a comprehensive state budget. The budget would direct $319 million to fully fund Medicaid, the nation’s largest payer for mental health and substance use disorder services. The proposal also includes a 10% raise for nurses and behavioral health technicians at state-run facilities, helping strengthen mental health services and promote public safety. 

Last month, Governor Stein announced a $1.5 million investment in Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs. These funds helped expand the initiative to seven sheriff offices and police departments, working to connect people experiencing addiction with support services and help to reduce repeat crime.  

In February, Governor Stein signed an executive order to strengthen North Carolina’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems. The executive order strengthens coordination among the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Public Safety, Department of Adult Correction, and Office of State Human Resources to improve how North Carolinians receive care and reduce preventable harm. Read the Governor’s executive order here.  

Click here to read Governor Stein’s Critical Needs Budget proposal.