Students are reported for possession of non-firearm weapons about 20 times as often as they are for firearms. But schools are still relatively safe places, and many crime statistics in schools have been improving for years, experts say. 

Easy to conceal, harder to detect: Knives more prevalent than guns in schools 

School lockers 

The National Conference on Active School Threats-East is convening in Raleigh, just two days after police say a teenager stabbed two fellow students, killing one of them, at Southeast Raleigh High School.

10 ways schools can curb violent threats, according to security expert

School generic with blurred students

All assets associated with the tag: behavioral health

Behavioral health Coverage

Dr. David Greenfield calls smartphones the world's smallest slot machine. Dr. Greenfield is a technology expert who has studied cell phone addiction. He says that every so often, the cell phone gives you a reward. 

Tips to tackle 'world's smallest slot machine' aka your smartphone

Cell phone use

The first behavioral health urgent care center in the Triangle -- designed just for kids -- opens Monday.

First of its kind behavioral health urgent care center for children opens in Wake County

A Wake County initiative that has already garnered national attention has received federal grand funding to expand its model.

UNC Health, Wake County part ways in running mental health facility

WakeBrook receives federal funding

WakeMed has gotten the 'green light' from the state to move forward with building two new hospitals. One of those hospitals will cater to behavioral and mental health services, which officials say is a large need in Wake County.

FOR WRAL NEWS, ALI INGERSOLL RALEIGH. >> ALSO NEW TONIGHT THE STATE GAVE WAKE-MED THE GREEN LIGHT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH BUILDING 2 NEW HOSPITALS. THIS IS A PROCESS WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING HERE AT WRAL. ONE OF THOSE HOSPITALS WILL CATER TO BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, WHICH OFFICIALS SAY IS LARGELY NEEDED IN WAKE COUNTY WREL'S DESTINY. PATTERSON EXPLAINS ONE OF THOSE HOSPITALS WILL HELP ADDRESS THIS GROWING NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. >> RIGHT HERE IN GARNER IS THE PROPOSED SITE FOR A NEW TREATMENT FACILITY FOR TO PAIR WITH 45 BEDS. LIKE MATT IS ALSO PLANNING TO BUILD A NEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER IN KNIGHTDALE WITH THE HOPES OF ADDRESSING A NEED IN THE COMMUNITY. >> WHEN IT WAS TIME TO THINK OR CAREER RILEY GOT CHARLES SAYS SHE KNEW THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELD WAS WHERE SHE WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AND I LOST ONE OF MY REALLY GOOD FRIENDS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SHE NOTICED A LACK OF RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE BEING IN THE FIELD. NOW I FEEL LIKE I CAN HELP PEOPLE FIND WHERE TO LOOK. IT'S A PROBLEM. HEALTH CARE LEADERS HAVE IDENTIFIED HERE IN WAKE COUNTY. >> IF YOU CAN CONNECT A PATIENT IN FAMILY WITH THE PROVIDER FASTER. THEY'LL GO NOW WAKEMAN HAS APPROVAL FROM THE STATE TO BUILD A STATE OF THE ART BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER IN KNIGHTDALE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE FACILITIES THAT ARE DEDICATED JUST TO MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THIS PEOPLE SPECIALIZE. THE NEW FACILITY WILL HOUSE 150 MENTAL HEALTH BEDS. >> THE HEALTH SYSTEM'S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER PREVIOUSLY TOLD US THE NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES STRAINING THE CURRENT HEALTH FACILITIES. WE'RE SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERSERVED. ALSO, I THINK GOING TO A REGULAR HOSPITAL CAN SOMETIMES BE A LITTLE SCARY. BUT KNOWING THAT YOU'RE GOING SOMEWHERE WHERE >> THEY HAVE YOUR BET, BEST INTEREST AT HEART. AND THEY REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH AND CAN UNDERSTAND IT. HELP YOU THROUGH IT. >> I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TOO. >> ORGANIZATIONS HAVE 30 DAYS TO APPEAL THE STATE'S DECISION. THE WAKE MED SPOKESPERSON TELLS ME THAT THE 30 DAYS IS ALREADY UP FOR THE NIGHT. DALE LOCATION AND WILL BE UP THIS WEEKEND FOR THE GARNER LOCATION. AND THERE'S NO OPPOSITION. WAKE MED WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

WakeMed proposes new hospital with focus on mental health

One in five people in North Carolina are currently experiencing a behavioral health issue. A new online tool could help them find care more quickly.

New online tool could help behavioral health patients find care more quickly

State launches centralized open bed registry for behavioral health patients

IT LOCALLY THAT STORY MONDAY AT 5. >> DOCTORS SAY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE NEEDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE IS ON THE RISE. THE STATE HAS A NEW ONLINE TOOL TO GET PATIENTS WHERE THEY NEED TO BE THE BUREAU'S. MONICA CASEY SHOWS US HOW IT CAN REDUCE WAIT TIMES IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT >> ONE IN 5 PEOPLE IN NORTH CAROLINA ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUE. DOCTORS SAY THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I THINK WE'VE SEEN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBERS IN OUR EMERGENCY ROOM OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS OF PEOPLE NEEDING HELP UN SEES DOCTOR KEN AND BEN US COVID. HE'S IN CHARGE OF THE UNIT HELPING PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS IS A LOT MORE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING ON AVERAGE STATEWIDE. THERE ARE 350 ADULTS AND CHILDREN WAITING IN EMERGENCY ROOMS FOR AN AVAILABLE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BED. THE STATE DEVELOPED BH SCAN A CENTRALIZED ONLINE BED REGISTRY SHOWING WHERE SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE. KELLY CROSBY WITH NCDHHS AS IT ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR HOSPITALS TO CALL AROUND SEARCHING FOR A SPOT. IT REALLY HELPS WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN CROSBY SAYS IT ALSO STREAMLINES THE ADMITTANCE PROCESS. IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL A LOT QUICKER. THE STATE ALSO HAS ACCESS TO THE REGISTRY FOR LONG-TERM PLANNING. SO WE SEE WHERE WE HAVE ONGOING HOLES. >> ONGOING EXTRA ACCESS AND HELPS US PLAN A LITTLE BIT BETTER. DOCTOR BEN IS COVID TELLS ME THIS WILL CONNECT PEOPLE TO CARE MORE QUICKLY. HE BELIEVES THE STATE NEEDS MORE BEDS AS A WHOLE. WE'RE SEEING, YOU KNOW, SURGES OF PEOPLE NEEDING HELP. AND WE'RE THRILLED THAT THE STATE IS, YOU KNOW, WANTING TO, YOU KNOW, INVEST AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. >> ABOUT 100 HOSPITALS AND FACILITIES ARE ALREADY PARTICIPATING IN THIS REGISTRY IN THE STATE IS HOPING TO EXPAND IT FURTHER TO INCLUDE HEALTH PLANS. MONICA KC WR L NEWS IN DURHAM. >> AND DUKE, UNC WAKE MED ARE

Wake County is due to receive nearly $27 million in federal funding for various projects in the omnibus spending bill currently awaiting the president's signature. Here's how some of the money will be spent.

US WHAT SOME OF THAT MONEY IS GOING TO COURT. >> THE GARNER SENIOR CENTER IS A SMALL PLACE, BUT IT HAS A BIG IMPACT ON SENIOR HEALTH. IT HOUSES ONE OF THE LARGEST FEEDING SITES FOR MEALS ON WHEELS AND WAKE COUNTY AND A MUCH NEEDED BOOST IN THE FEDERAL SPENDING BILL WILL ALLOW IT TO SERVE EVEN MORE. MANY WALKER IS 81. SHE'S BEEN COMING TO MEALS ON WHEELS, LUNCHES HERE FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. I COME HERE FOR THAT. >> THE AND I'M AND JUST TO HIM AROUND BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING, YOU KNOW, NOTHING HAPPENED TO YOU. THE COMING HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH FAYED, ANYWHERE FROM 60 TO 70 PEOPLE PER DAY. DAYS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAT THE GORDON IS THE MEALS ON WHEELS. SITE MANAGER. SHE WAS THRILLED TO LEARN ABOUT THE NEW GRANT. IT INCLUDES MONEY TO MODERNIZE THE AGING KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM. HER PROGRAM YES, WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS PRESENT. >> THEY WERE GREAT. WILL LET WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE SENIOR CENTER ALSO PROVIDES EXERCISE AND FITNESS PROGRAMS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, GARDENING AND GAME. IT SERVES THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE A MONTH. DIRECTOR TORREY BLACK MAHER SAYS IT'S A STRUGGLE TO STRETCH THEIR ANNUAL TIME BUDGET OF $200,000 TO COVER PROGRAMS, STAFF AND MAINTENANCE. YOU KNOW, HALF A MILLION >> HE LOOKS THE BATHROOMS ARE TERRIBLY DATED THE PAINT JOB IS JUST REALLY NEEDS A FACELIFT. I'VE BEEN TO THAT SENIOR CENTER. I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO THE COMMUNITY. AND I KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES IT TOUCHES. CONGRESSWOMAN DEBORAH ROSS ADMITTED THE FUNDING REQUEST. IT'S PART OF NEARLY 27 MILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDING COMING TO WAKE COUNTY. MUCH OF IT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PROJECT. >> WITH MED WILL RECEIVE 6 MILLION DOLLARS TOWARD A NEW PUBLIC HOSPITAL FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. WAKE COUNTY WILL GET 2 MILLION FOR A NEW PUBLIC HEALTH BUILDING AND SAINT AUGUSTIN'S WILL GET HALF A MILLION TO UPDATE ITS PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER. THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO STEP UP. >> WITH MEDICAID EXPANSION. BUT WHAT WE CAN DO AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS TO SUPPORT ALL THE EFFORTS THAT WAKE COUNTY IS PUTTING IN TO MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO IN MOST IN NEED OF HEALTH CARE GET THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED FOR MANY WALKER, LIKE MANY SENIORS, SOMETIMES THAT'S A SIMPLE AS COMPANIONSHIP. WE NEED A PLACE TO GO. YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO. YOU KNOW, MORE THAN THE HOME. >> COME ON. WHAT HE'S GONNA STING IS YOU'RE WELCOME.

Spending bill to send $27 million from Washington D.C. to Wake County

Wake County to receive nearly $27 million for projects in bill on President Biden's desk

The spending bill on President Joe Biden's desk includes $505,000 for the Garner Senior Center at 205 East Garner Road. 

Rising mental health-related emergency room visits, more involuntary commitments and longer wait times for psychiatric hospital beds are symptoms of much larger problems within the state's mental health system, health experts say.

New mental health data show 'unsustainable' burden on NC hospitals

Increased ER Visits

A new mobile crisis intervention service is designed to help youth and support families facing mental or behavioral health issues in Wake County.

THREAT OF MASS VIOLENCE ON EDUCATIONAL PROPERTY. A NEW MOBILE CRISIS, INTERVENTION SERVICES DESIGNED TO HELP YOUTH AND SUPPORT FAMILIES FACING MENTAL OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES. >> THEY BEGAN OPERATIONS IN WAKE COUNTY WITH A CENTER IN FUQUAY-VARINA AS WRAL'S GERALD OWENS EXPLAINS. THE GOAL IS MEETING NEEDS EARLY IN THE FAMILY'S TIME OF CRISIS. >> THIS FORMER SOUTHERN WAKE HOSPITAL IN FUQUAY-VARINA HAS A NEW PURPOSE. THE NEW HOPE CENTER WILL HELP FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 17 WHO HAD NOWHERE TO TURN FOR HELP PRICES PROGRAM. DIRECTOR TAMMY MARTIN SAYS THEY'RE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, URGENT CARE WILL OFFER WALK-IN SERVICE WHERE FAMILIES CAN BRING THEIR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS FOR AN IMMEDIATE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ASSESSMENT AS WELL AS EVALUATING A YOUNG PERSON'S PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH. >> THE INTERVENTION CAN REDUCE PRESSURE ON HOSPITALS AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE EVERYWHERE I GO. AND WHEN I TALK TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEY THEY JUST TALK ABOUT THE NEED. MACARIO RETIRED FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT. HE SAYS THE CENTER'S MOORE'S PROGRAM OFFERS A SPECIALIZED CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE. THEIR MOBILE SERVICE BRINGS ASSISTANCE DIRECTLY TO THE FAMILY AND THEN ULTIMATELY BRINGING THE FAMILY AND THE SUPPORT MEMBERS IN AND CREATING AN ENTIRE TEAM AROUND THAT PERSON IS THE ANSWER. WORK INSIDE THE FACILITY IS IN PROGRESS WITH A DESIGN THAT IS BRIGHT AND INVITING SOME CHILDREN MAY STAY UP TO 8 WEEKS TO MEET THEIR NEEDS AND THE NEEDS OF THEIR FAMILIES WITHOUT INTERVENTION. THE OUTLOOK IS PREDICTABLE. THEY WILL END UP IN HOSPITALS THAT POLICE WILL RESPOND TO A IN-HOME CRISIS AND

New center to help families and youth in crisis in Wake County

'The Hope Center' in Fuquay Varina to offer youth crisis intervention services

New center in Fuquay Varina helps with youth crisis intervention

Meditation is a simple tool that helps us slow down and take a breath (literally). 

The Anti-Stressor: Meditation for kids 

If you're experiencing a serious behavioral health crisis situation that doesn't require a 911 call or a trip to the hospital, there are crisis alternatives that provide specialized services.