May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Get Connected

Mental Health Month was created more than 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all.  This year’s theme is focused on an essential component of maintaining and protecting mental health and wellness: social connectedness. The tagline for this year’s observance is “Get Connected.” There are many ways of creating connections that support mental health:

• Get connected to family and friends to feel close and supported.
• Get connected to your community to feel a sense of belonging and purpose.
• Get connected to professional help to feel better when you’re stressed and having trouble coping.

Area Program is the local governmental agency with responsibility for oversight and management of publicly-funded mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services in Orange, Person and Chatham counties. OPC provides screening, triage and referral for individuals needing services in the area; recruits and monitors an array of community service providers; and manages the distribution of state monies for services to consumers.

OPC is governed by an Area Board. The Area Board is comprised of one county commissioner from each of the three counties OPC serves. The commissioners appoint the remaining board members. These remaining board members are citizens, which must include representatives of various constituent and professional groups specified by statutes governing OPC. As the governing body, the Board exercises the powers and duties conferred by the General Assembly.

The Area Board meets at our Administrative Offices in Chapel Hill every second Thursday of each month from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., the meeting is open to the public.