As part of an ongoing focus on behavioral health and resilience, changes promoted by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are improving health and saving lives among people in the state with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders.
New state level data is showing the lowest rate of tobacco use in more than a decade for people in North Carolina who struggle with their mental health or heavy drinking.
A NCDHHS initiative called Breathe Easy NC is responsible for this positive change, working in coordination with many community partners. Breathe Easy NC helps service providers integrate tobacco use treatment for those with behavioral health conditions, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries, as well as making substance use disorder treatment campuses tobacco free.
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