I’ve always viewed data as one of our most powerful tools — not just for understanding the challenges we face, but for driving real change. Data can guide us in designing programs, securing funding and advocating for policy changes that address disparities, especially in mental health. I’ve used data to advocate for communities that are too often overlooked, and I’ve focused on how we can harness technology to close gaps in care.
I’ve also learned that statistics represent averages, but people don’t live in averages; I see that those communities are actually living different experiences. The science behind treating mental illness is more effective than ever and it might look like things are “getting better” overall. But, we cannot feel satisfied as too many people don’t have access to these life-saving treatments. Here in North Carolina, as in many other states across the nation, rural regions are falling through the cracks.
More detailed data can help us expand access for the people who are in need through efforts, like the NC Statewide Telepsychiatry Program’s (NC-STeP), that provide access to evidence-based psychiatric services to those who otherwise may not have access to this care. The most recent expansion of this program, funded through a grant from the United Health Foundation, connects underserved children and adolescents in rural areas with psychiatric care through telehealth (NC-STeP-Peds). This eliminates the need for travel and significantly reduces wait times. Before NC-STeP-Peds, children in rural regions often had to wait months for a psychiatry appointment. Now, through video conferencing and telehealth infrastructure, we’ve cut wait times to just a few weeks.
While NC-STeP helps us bring psychiatric care directly to rural communities through telehealth, we recognize that mental health is only one part of the solution. That’s why, in addition to NC-STeP, we’ve also focused on lowering geographic and transportation barriers to other critical services, such as care coordination, clinical care, education/knowledge dissemination, and social work. By bringing these resources into centralized locations, we’ve reduced the need for long drives and helped patients access comprehensive care locally.
Throughout all of this work, one critical resource that has helped us identify and address these needs is America's Health Rankings. By tracking health trends over time, the platform also helps us predict future needs. For me, it’s more than just a collection of numbers — it's a tool for shaping policy and advocating for change.
I remain optimistic because we have the tools to get people the mental health care they deserve. We know what works — we just need to ensure that these solutions are reaching everyone. By continuing to use data to identify gaps, advocate for policy changes and push for innovations that make care more efficient and accessible, I believe we can close the mental health care gap. And that’s what keeps me motivated: the knowledge that we can, and must, do better.