How is North Carolina addressing widespread issues such as substance abuse, mental health crises, and children’s behavioral health concerns? Here’s a roundup of some of the significant behavioral health stories emerging across the “Old North State.”
Sports Betting Is Legal in North Carolina, and Health Experts Are Concerned
Sports betting became legal in North Carolina on March 11, 2024, prompting concerns about an increase in problem gambling. Michelle Malkin, director of the Gambling Research and Policy Initiative at East Carolina University, says the state could see unexpected consequences, even with preparations.
When the legislation was adopted in 2023, it designated that $2 million annually from the tax revenue would go to the NC Problem Gambling Program, under the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). That funding will not apply, however, until the next fiscal year that begins July 1, 2024. Sportsbooks also say they have added tools, such as deposit limits, to help users keep to a budget and avoid spending excessively.
Widely Available Supplement Could Become Illegal in N.C.
North Carolina lawmakers are considering ways to curb the sale and use of the dietary supplement tianeptine.. The potentially addictive supplement is marketed as a cognitive function enhancer and creates a euphoria. Other countries regulate tianeptine and even prescribe it an antidepressant, but it is not designated a drug in the United States.
A new House Select Committee on Substance Abuse at the North Carolina General Assembly are looking into possible actions. Numerous states, including Florida, Ohio, and Tennessee, have already banned the sale of the substance. The FDA recently issued a warning against products containing tianeptine, reporting that poison control centers have seen increased cases involving the supplement, rising from from 11 between 2000 and 2013 to 151 in 2020.
North Carolina Launches New Child Behavioral Health Dashboard
The North Carolina DHHS has launched a new dashboard to track depression, ADHD, and substance abuse disorders in minors. The department’s aim is to improve children’s behavioral health and close disparities in care. This child behavioral health dashboard will receive quarterly updates based on Medicaid data, and yearly updates for the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
According to DHHS, North Carolina ranks 42nd in the country for prevalence of mental illness and access to mental health services for children. The department also announced that suicide is now the second leading cause of death for North Carolina youth ages 10-18.
Mental Health Hotline Now Available in N.C.
In February 2024, North Carolina launched a new telephone hotline for individuals with mental health needs. Known as the Statewide Peer Warmline, this resource connects people struggling with their mental health to an individual in recovery. This gives the caller the chance to talk to someone who has faced a similar situation. This phone line will work in tandem with the state’s 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, both available 24/7.
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