Every year, NCRHA publishes an annual North Carolina Rural Health Snapshot that compiles data on statewide rural demographics, rural health, and health care infrastructure. This comprehensive report is a resource for anyone advocating for rural communities, health equity, and access to care. It identifies opportunities for North Carolina to improve how our public health system serves our rural population by outlining differences, disparities, and strengths of underserved North Carolina communities.

Preview: Bertie County Behavioral Health Network

“The Bertie County Behavioral Health Network’s greatest success has been building a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility around behavioral health in Bertie County.” — Montez Bishop, Student Services Director, Bertie County Schools

Bertie County, a rural community in eastern North Carolina, faces challenges related to mental health, substance use, and access to care. However, Bertie is defined not by these challenges, but by its deeply rooted culture of partnership and community pride.

For the past four years, the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation (FHLI) has facilitated the Bertie County Behavioral Health Network (BCBHN), supporting a collective effort of local leaders, organizations, and residents to strengthen behavioral health supports and reduce stigma.

In this time, the BCBHN has made meaningful strides in expanding behavioral health awareness, access, and support throughout the county. Key accomplishments include co-creating the Healthy Minds Bertie mental health stigma campaign, increasing access to mental health services through tele-mental health programs in Bertie County Schools, and convening a county-wide Mental Health Summit to elevate community voices and strengthen collaboration in addressing community mental health challenges.

Visit healthymindsbertie.org for mental health resources in and around Bertie County and more information about the Healthy Minds Bertie stigma campaign.