May 7, 2024

Welcoming a new era of mental health care

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but Cabarrus County has promised to make it a priority year-round. From progress on the Regional Behavioral Health Center to the addition of staff members dedicated to the cause, here’s an update on the County’s efforts.  

Regional Behavioral Health Center

• 59,300-square-foot complex featuring a full continuum of care, including a Behavioral Health Urgent Care, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility and a Facility-Based Crisis program

• North Carolina-based Monarch will operate facility and staff

• Slated to open in 2026

Meet Cabarrus County's new Behavioral Health Director

Kamilah McKissick, has an array of clinical and leadership experiences in multiple settings, including hospitals, schools, psychiatric facilities, day treatment and outpatient programs, community mental health centers, group homes, departments of juvenile justice and child welfare agencies. Most recently, she was the Division Director of Clinical and Contractual Services for a neighboring county.

"Everyone should have access to top notch mental health services—quality mental healthcare is a right, not a privilege," says Dr. McKissick.

Meet the Sheriff's Office New Embedded Behavioral Health Clinician

In an effort to make mental health care accessible, Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Responder Support Services to provide the Sheriff's Office and County EMS employees with licensed clinician William Lively.  

Lively specializes in working with individuals recovering from trauma, anxiety, sleep difficulties, couples counseling, substance use and more.

"I'm excited about this partnership. I hope to be an asset to the team and another tool for employees to better serve Cabarrus County residents," says Lively.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use or a mental health crisis, you can get free, confidential help from trained crisis counselors 24/7 by calling or texting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at:

• 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) - call/text
• Text Ayuda to 988
• 988lifeline.org or 988lineadevida.org/– chat
• In Cabarrus County, Mobile Crisis Services are available 24/7 by calling 1-866-275-9552.

Save the date: Mental Health America of Central Carolinas is hosting its 10th Annual Wake up for Wellness Breakfast on Thursday, May 23 at Hilton Charlotte University.

Learn more and purchase tickets

5 Things to Know

🏀 Celebrate the two-time champs | For the second year in a row, Central Cabarrus has won the 3A Men’s Basketball State Championship. Join us and the City of Concord to help commemorate the team’s success on Wednesday, May 8 (tomorrow) from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Cabarrus County Courthouse Plaza - 61 Union St. South, Concord. Go Vikings!

🚴‍♂️ Bike Safe event | North Carolina and the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office invite motorcyclists to participate in Rider Skills Days. The Rider Skills Days are FREE and hosted by qualified local motor officers. Each course consists of both classroom-based instruction and on-road assessments. Topics covered include the system of motorcycle control, collision causation factors, security, professional riding techniques and more.

Upcoming CCSO BikeSafeNC Classes:

May 10, 2024 – Register Here

June 15, 2024 – Register Here

August 23, 2024 – Register Here

🏃‍♂️ Silo Sprint 5k | Lace up for the second annual Silo Sprint Fun Run and 5k on June 1 at Frank Liske Park. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking for some outdoor fun, this race is for you! Register by May 24 to lock in your shirt size. Learn more and register.

📚 Read for those in need | Join the Cabarrus County Library in giving back to the community. The library branch whose readers log the most minutes will win their community’s food pantry a $2,500 donation, and the top reader from each branch will receive an Amazon Fire HD8 Plus tablet provided by the Cabarrus Literacy Council.

How it works:

Register on Beanstack and choose the library you visit most often – suggested reading and activities are available on the app, although all reading counts and activities are optional.

Check in each week for stats on how each branch is doing.

Nonperishable food items and book donations will be accepted at all branches. All donated items will go to your local food pantry regardless of which branch wins.

See a list of all five food pantries the challenge supports here.

⚠️ #CabCoALERT | The #CabCoAlert service allows authorized County leaders to rapidly send time–sensitive messages. These messages go to every phone number and email address in the database. When you sign up, you will recieve severe weather warnings, traffic alerts, situations impacting safety, special event notices and more. Learn more and register for emergency alerts.

BONUS #6 | 2024 Law Enforcement Day and Peace Officers Memorial

In case you missed it, you can watch the ceremony on demand on YouTube or Facebook. Read full story

Cabarrus This Week

Let's get plugged in!

In this episode of Cabarrus This Week, we're:

• Taking a tour of the 1975 courthouse renovation project

• Learning about Cabarrus County's Land Search Team



• Preparing for the cicada-geddon

CTW archives

Ready for an adventure? The 2024 Summer Reading Program is almost here. The program is a good way for kids, teens, adults and families to sharpen their reading skills throughout the summer, while also having fun! We spoke with Midland Branch Manager Amanda Wilkerson on what to expect from this year's program and how to sign up.



Learn more

Creek Stomp | May 11 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Frank Liske Park | $2

Community CPR Course | Thursday, May 16 | EMS HQ | 793 Cabarrus Ave W, Concord | FREE

Scrabble Competition | May 30 | 2 to 4 p.m. | Mt. Pleasant Senior Center | FREE | Ages 18+ | Must register

Art Walk pop-up: wearables edition | June 8 | Cabarrus Art Council Lawn and the Courthouse Plaza between the Cabarrus Center and Cabarrus Arts Council

Basics of Home Canning | June 19 & 20 | Cooperative Extension | 715 Cabarrus Ave W, Concord | $15

View all Cabarrus County Library System events

View the Active Living and Parks session guide

Work with Cabarrus

Cookin' with Pam

Pam's Famous Chicken Casserole

See more of Pam's recipes

Board of Commissioners

Resources

May 5-11 is Hurricane Preparedness Week

Stay informed and be disaster ready

Child Support Services

Understand the process and enroll

Veterans Services resources

Access our full list of Cabarrus County resources

Recursos de la Comunidad

In the News

• (Independent Tribune) 2024 Law Enforcement Day serves as solemn reminder of ‘ultimate sacrifice’

• (Independent Tribune) A celebration of the Central Cabarrus basketball championship set for Wednesday

• (WSOC-TV) Contractors plan improvements for Cabarrus County streets

Get Connected

Register for #CABCOALERT Safety System

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