Mental Health and Substance Abuse as a combination were chosen as a priority because of the following factors: 

• Both of these impact many other health and quality of life issues such as: 
  • Employment barrier
  • Maternity complications and Infant health/mortality
  • Traffic accidents and fatalities
  • Violent Crime increase 
• Both hhave consistently been an issue for many years
• They are often intertwined and must be addressed simultaneously. 
• Mental Health was chosen as the 3rd most important Health Problem in the County.  (#1 Obesity/Overweight and #2 Diabetes are addressed in the previous priority – Diseases of the Heart)
• Since 2010 there have been significant increases in the Rate of Unintentional Opioid Overdose Deaths and the Rate of Opioid Overdose Emergency Department/Room Visits.  The Rate of Emergency Department/Room visits has increased 110.8 points since 2010.
• Participants in the CHA Public Survey said that 3 of the top 4 Unhealthy Behaviors listed in the survey are related to Substance Abuse: 
  • #1 Illicit Drug Abuse
  • #3 Prescription Drug Abuse
  • #4 Drunk Driving  
• They  are related to (affects/causes or is impacted by) several of the Health NC 2030 Health Indicators and the Desired Results: 
  •  Improve child well-being
  • Decrease drug overdose deaths
  • Decrease excessive drinking
  • Improve birth outcomes
  • Improve access and treatment for mental health needs