Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
—Subcommittee(s) of Human Services Advisory groups <br /> —Joint local government committee/group formed through Assembly of Governments <br /> —Capacity within Mayor/Manager offices <br /> With capacity for local government issue leadership in place, a significant ongoing <br /> public information campaign could be implemented through: <br /> *Collaboration with MHAOC, Healthy Carolinians and other advocacy groups to reduce social <br /> stigma associated with mental illness (use of bus advertisements; PSAs; materials distribution) <br /> *Dissemination of information in town/county employee orientations, through pay check <br /> notices, OWASA bills, etc. <br /> *Increased collaboration between schools and mental health professionals for family <br /> education about signs of depression, substance abuse, etc. <br /> *Increased local government collaboration with UNC Center for Excellence. <br /> *Use of local government webpages. <br /> *Local government support for existing volunteer groups that are working to increase public <br /> awareness of the needs of persons with mental illness. <br /> *Local government/OPC collaboration to increase awareness of the OPC Star Unit as the <br /> primary entry point into the mental health system. Campaign to publicize telephone numbers - <br /> 919-913-4100 or <br /> 1-800-233-6834. <br /> Continuing Commitment of Task Force Members <br /> *Work with the Town of Chapel Hill to ensure that the Town website includes important <br /> information <br /> *Seek media opportunities (letters to editor, profiles of provider agencies, Op Eds, etc.) tied in <br /> with a campaign to increase public awareness <br /> *Increase community awareness through appearances before various local government <br /> bodies, meetings with governmental staffs, dialogue with the County Human Services <br /> Commission and Town Human Services advisory groups, presentations to local service <br /> groups, etc. <br /> *Seek to partner with the county Third Sector Alliance — perhaps a MH/DD/SA work group? <br /> *Partner with the Town of Chapel Hill and the UNC Center for Excellence to convene issue- <br /> focused symposia. <br />