From Pilot to Infrastructure: How North Carolina’s Project AWARE/ACTIVATE Is Transforming School-Based Mental Health
Abstract
Youth mental health needs are increasing, and access to services remains uneven across North Carolina. Schools represent a critical access point for prevention, early identification, and intervention. North Carolina implemented Project AWARE/ACTIVATE to build coordinated school-based mental health infrastructure across diverse districts. This commentary includes a policy and implementation analysis that integrates program documentation and evaluation findings from six pilot Local Education Agencies participating in Project AWARE/ACTIVATE.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
School Health and Nursing Education
Mental Health Treatment and Access
Publication details
- Journal / source
- North Carolina Medical Journal
- Publisher
- North Carolina Institute of Medicine
- Volume
- 87
- Issue
- 1
- Publication date
- 30 April 2026
- Language
- EN