About NC-PAL
NC-PAL works to build the mental health knowledge base and capacity of clinical and social service providers in North Carolina to meet the mental health needs of youth and families.
NC-PAL is a collaboration between the NC Department of Health and Human Services, and the Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill Schools of Medicine.
NC-PAL promotes equity in behavioral health for North Carolina’s youth and families.
We do this by providing mental health consultation and education to North Carolina clinical and social service providers—building their mental health knowledge and capacity.
Why?
All but four counties in North Carolina face a shortage of mental health professionals.
Primary care providers (PCPs) are often the only clinicians available to diagnose and treat pediatric and perinatal mental illness. Surveys of these clinicians have identified gaps in training and comfort with managing mental health care.
Our Team
We have an experienced team of behavioral health consultants, psychiatrists, mental health specialists, and program support staff to help with all your child psychiatry questions. We've partnered with NC-MATTERS to handle your perinatal psychiatry questions.
Our Network
We work with organizations and individuals across the state to develop programs and services that can meet the diverse mental health needs of different communities and regions.
Our History
In 2017, the North Carolina Psychiatry Access Line was launched with the simple goal of providing easier access to mental health guidance for North Carolina’s primary care physicians. Since then, NC-PAL has grown, and so has the way we define “line”:
- a telephone connection
- a source of information
- a group of products under a specific brand
- the course or direction of something in motion
- a demarcation of a limit
While the access line is the most direct way we can promote equity in mental health for all North Carolinians, we’ve also made strides in offering a range of other services, resources, and programs.
Funding
NC-PAL is a collaboration between the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill Schools of Medicine.
- The pediatric program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $840,000 through September 2026, with 20% financed by a match from NC DHHS.
- The perinatal program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,125,000 through September 2028, with 10% financed by a match from NC DHHS.
- With the recent passage of the landmark state budget, NC-PAL is receiving additional funding from Medicaid totaling $2,400,000 and Mental Health Block Grant support totaling $1,700,000 through June 2024.
- The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
NC Department of Health and Human Services • Division of Public Health • Division of Child and Family Well-Being • www.ncdhhs.gov • NCDHHS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.