Mental Health Services

The Mental Health Services team works to provide regulatory and program oversight. The team also provides consultation services to mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use services managed care organizations, providers, and stakeholders. Our work involves assisting with technical and administrative issues affecting program development, using rules and regulations governing licensure and policy analysis, program standards, and implementation of new initiatives.

We perform reviews of programs and make recommendations for improvements and modifications as necessary. The team is responsible for program assessment functions, including gathering and analyzing data in support of a specific program and monitoring compliance with state and federal regulations.

We coordinate functions with other state agencies, providers of services, and stakeholders, including various commissions, advisory councils and planning groups to obtain and provide information as necessary, and to enhance the provision of services within the state.

The Mental Health Team oversees:

Assertive Community Treatment

ACT Teams include psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, substance abuse specialists, vocational specialists, certified peer support specialists, and other specialists who help adult individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) live in their homes instead of institutions. They provide an array of community-based services, from delivering daily medications to helping individuals find and maintain safe and affordable housing. ACT is available 24/7. ACT is the most intensive available in the community. To find out if you qualify for this service, contact your LME-MCO.

Community Support Team

CST services consist of community-based mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation services and necessary supports provided through a team approach to assist adults in achieving rehabilitative and recovery goals. It is intended for individuals with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, or both who have complex and extensive treatment needs. CST is designed to reduce presenting psychiatric or substance abuse symptoms and promote symptom stability, restore the individual’s community living and interpersonal skills, provide first responder intervention and deescalate the current crisis, and ensure linkage to community services and resources. CST is available 24/7.

Critical Time Intervention

Critical Time Intervention (CTI) is a time-limited evidence-based practice that mobilizes support for society’s most vulnerable individuals during periods of transition. It is person-centered, recovery oriented and facilitates community integration and continuity of care by ensuring that a person has enduring ties to their community and support systems during these critical periods.

Individual Placement and Supports/Supported Employment

IPS/SE is an evidence-based practice that helps people with severe illness work at regular jobs of their choosing. It is a person-centered, behavioral health service with a focus on employment, that provides assistance in choosing, acquiring, and maintaining competitive paid employment in the community for individuals 16 years and older for whom employment has not been achieved or employment has been interrupted or has been intermittent.

Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment

The Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) model is an evidence-based practice that improves the quality of life for people with co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders by combining substance abuse services with mental health services. It helps people address both disorders at the same time—in the same service organization by the same team of treatment providers. 

Crisis Services

The North Carolina Crisis Solutions Initiative focuses on identifying and implementing the best known strategies for crisis care while reducing avoidable visits to emergency departments and involvement with the criminal justice system for individuals in behavioral health crises. Crisis services or emergency services are available in North Carolina for adults experiencing issues with mental health, substance use, and intellectual/development disabilities. There are a variety of crisis services available throughout North Carolina, including Facility Based Crisis Programs (FBC), Mobile Crisis Management (MCM) and Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC).

Transition Management Services

TMS is a service provided to individuals participating in the Transition to Community Living Initiative (TCLI), and was formerly called Tenancy Support Team (TST).  TMS focuses on increasing the individual’s ability to live as independently as possible, managing the illness, and reestablishing his or her community roles related to the following life domains: emotional, social, safety, housing, medical and health, educational, vocational and legal.

To access mental health, substance use, or IDD services in your county, please contact your LME/MCO.

If you have a complaint or grievance regarding services you have received,
or barriers to needed mental health, substance use, or IDD services, please contact our Customer Service and Consumer Empowerment Team.

Tailored Plans

Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Tailored Plans (or “Tailored Plans”) are a new kind of NC Medicaid Managed Care health plan for people with certain medical needs, including people with serious mental illness. Learn more about Tailored Plans.