North Carolina expands post-Helene crisis counseling with federal funds

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that $2.9 million worth of federal funding would be put toward increasing crisis counseling services for North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene. 

The dollars will be used to expand the state’s Hope4NC initiative, which for years has served as a resource to connect victims of hurricanes and other disasters to mental health resources. 

Crisis counseling through Hope4NC will be free and anonymous for the roughly 1.8 million residents affected by Helene, according to a press release from the state health department. 

To ensure these resources are easily accessible, the state will also oversee outreach programs in shelters, private homes and other locations to meet those affected by Helene where they are. 

A large portion of the funds, about $1.2 million, will go to Asheville-based Vaya Health, a public managed care organization that operates in almost every county in western North Carolina. The health system will hire 50 crisis counselors with the funds from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

North Carolinians in need of mental health support can call or text 9-8-8 or visit the state health department’s Helene resources website. 

Santiago Ochoa covers healthcare for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. Follow him on X and Instagram: @santi8a98