Latest news with #DevSangvai
Associated Press
30-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
NCDHHS Partners with Talkspace to Provide Free Virtual Mental Health Therapy to Teens Involved in or Impacted By the Justice System
RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 30, 2025-- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Talkspace, a virtual therapy platform now available for free to justice-impacted teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 in North Carolina. Recent data from North Carolina shows that 100% of young people in youth development centers had at least one mental health diagnosis, with more than half also having a substance use disorder diagnosis. Additionally, youth involvement in the justice system can increase a young person's risk of experiencing more trauma or psychological distress. It can also lead to increased risk of adult criminal activity, lower education attainment and difficulty finding a job. 'There is an urgent need for youth-focused solutions to help young people involved in the justice system get the care they need so they can thrive in their homes and communities,' said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. 'The partnership with Talkspace is one of the ways the department is working to transform mental health care to build a system that works for every person in North Carolina.' The Talkspace partnership is a part of an effort to expand services for individuals in the justice system, with a focus on increasing quality and consistency of behavioral health programs for youth. The two-year program will serve as many as 20,000 youth impacted by the legal system, including people who may have personally been detained/court-involved, have lived experience as victims of crime or are otherwise identified as at risk (for example, having incarcerated members of family). Teenagers who download the app or go to the website will be put in contact with a trained clinician who can be matched by age, culture, gender, etc. The platform offers 24/7 text, audio and video access and self-guided activities. Those participating may immediately access Talkspace services using a referral keyword provided by court counselors, case managers or other community partners such as local Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils and other youth advocacy groups. Participation is voluntary and will not be court-ordered. Talkspace offers 'asynchronous' therapy which differs from traditional approaches by allowing therapists and clients to communicate in various formats without scheduled appointments. The client engages in the therapeutic process whenever and wherever is most convenient. 'Increasing access to treatment is critical for justice-involved youth. Tele-mental health does this by meeting youth and families where they are and allows for immediate therapy from culturally responsive providers in a comfortable format,' said Kelly Crosbie MSW, LCSW, NCDHHS Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. 'Ensuring children and youth involved with or impacted by the justice system receive mental health care is critical in stopping the re-entry cycle and ensuring children go on to live full and meaningful lives.' 'We're proud to partner with the North Carolina Juvenile Justice System and NCDHHS to bring accessible, confidential mental health support to teens who need it most,' said Jon Cohen, M.D., Chief Executive Officer at Talkspace. 'This collaboration marks a meaningful expansion of our work with youth—reaching them in a new context, at a critical moment, and reinforcing our commitment to equitable care for all.' This initiative is part of NCDHHS' mission to improve access to mental health care in North Carolina and is funded by the $835 million investment that focuses on mental health transformation. An overview of the historic investment made possible by the NC General Assembly is available in this white paper: Transforming North Carolina's Behavioral Health System; Investing in a system that delivers whole-person care when and where people need it. About Talkspace Talkspace is a leading virtual behavioral healthcare provider committed to helping people lead healthier, happier lives through access to high-quality mental healthcare. Talkspace pioneered the ability to text with a licensed therapist from anywhere and now offers a comprehensive suite of mental health services, including therapy for individuals, teens, and couples, as well as psychiatric treatment and medication management (18+). For more information, visit View source version on [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NORTH CAROLINA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH TELEMEDICINE/VIRTUAL MEDICINE SOURCE: Talkspace Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 07/30/2025 02:30 PM/DISC: 07/30/2025 02:31 PM
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NC's Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP
NC's Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Dev Sangvai One of North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein's first acts upon assuming office earlier this year was to name a new Secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, and from the looks of things thus far, the person to whom he turned, Dr. Dev Sangvai, was a winning selection. Since taking office, Sangvai — a family medicine practitioner and Duke University professor – has quickly hit the ground running and emerged as forceful voice for commonsense in the often rancorous world of health care policy. Most recently Sangvai has spoken out publicly and energetically in opposition to the massive Medicaid and SNAP food assistance cuts working their way through Congress. And as Sangvai reminded NC Newsline, his concerns about the cuts are about more than mere empathy for struggling families – they're also based on hard data which show the devastating ripple effects the cuts will have on North Carolina's overall health and economic wellbeing. Click here to listen to the full interview with NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Dev Sangvai.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NC Health Secretary warns of impact from potential federal cuts to SNAP, Medicaid
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Dev Sangvai raised concerns Thursday about how the proposed federal funding cuts could impact residents who rely on critical assistance programs, specifically SNAP and Medicaid. According to the North Carolina Department of Health, approximately 1.4 million North Carolinians currently benefit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps lower-income individuals and families purchase food. Currently, the federal government funds 100% of SNAP benefits and 50% of administrative costs to administer it, according to the NCDHHS. The proposed federal cuts would significantly alter this funding structure, potentially putting assistance at risk for many recipients. 'Right now, as I mentioned, the program is federally funded,' Dr. Sangvai explained. 'Some of the proposals that are coming out shifts that federal burden to the state level, and our state is already in a pretty tight situation financially. Depending on how the program plays out, it could cost North Carolina anywhere from $140 million to $700 million more per year.' The Health Secretary also expressed concerns about proposed Medicaid changes, which include implementing work requirements and increasing the frequency of eligibility determinations beyond the current annual review. These changes could result in coverage disruptions for North Carolina residents who rely on Medicaid for healthcare coverage. While Dr. Sangvai acknowledged that program improvements are necessary, he advocated for a more methodical approach to implementing changes. 'What's going to happen is individuals are going to have to balance: do I pay the heating bill, do I pay rent, or do I eat? It's a pretty precarious situation if these benefits go away,' he warned. The NC Department of Health and Human Services is monitoring the federal proposals closely as they move through the legislative process. For more information on SNAP benefits or Medicaid in North Carolina, visit the NCDHHS website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
24-04-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Mpox Found in North Carolina Sewage: What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Health providers and the public have been urged to be on the alert for mpox cases after particles were detected in several sewage samples in North Carolina. The risk to the public is low at this time, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) said in a news release on Tuesday. Why It Matters Mpox, previously called monkeypox, is a rare disease. Part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox, it is caused by a type of virus typically found in West and Central Africa. It is "primarily spread by prolonged close contact, typically skin-to-skin, often during sexual activity," according to the NCDHHS. Early symptoms include fever, tiredness, headaches and sometimes a sore throat or cough. Those who contract the virus often develop a rash that changes over time (from flat spots to raised bumps, blisters and scabs). The process usually takes between two and three weeks, and those who are infected are contagious until all scabs heal and new skin forms. What To Know North Carolina's detections were found in wastewater samples collected on March 25, March 28 and April 8 from a treatment plant in Greenville. They were all clade I—one of the two genetic types of the virus, the other being clade II. To date, only four clade I cases have been reported in the U.S. "These detections mean there was possibly at least one person with an undiagnosed or unreported clade I mpox infection present or traveling through the Greenville area around the time of these detections," the NCDHHS said. The results were found by the North Carolina Wastewater Monitoring Network, which was launched in 2021 to help improve information about the spread of certain viruses. Samples are collected routinely from 35 wastewater treatment plants across the state and tested for specific viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. This year has already seen two mpox cases identified in North Carolina. Both were clade II. This colorized electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2024 shows mpox virus particles, green, found within infected cultured cells, blue. The virus particles are in various stages... This colorized electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2024 shows mpox virus particles, green, found within infected cultured cells, blue. The virus particles are in various stages of maturity, which accounts for differences in shape. More AP What People Are Saying Dev Sangvai, North Carolina's Health and Human Services secretary, said in the news release on Tuesday: "The detection of clade I mpox virus in wastewater surveillance tells us the virus is potentially here in our state, even though no cases have been reported and confirmed. We encourage health care providers to be on the lookout for mpox cases and we encourage people who are at higher risk to protect themselves by getting vaccinated." What Happens Next The NCDHHS has asked all North Carolina health care providers to consider mpox in patients who show compatible symptoms. If you think you are exhibiting symptoms or have had close contact with someone who has mpox, you should visit your health care provider.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mpox found in North Carolina wastewater, Health Dept. says
NORTH CAROLINA () — Mpox particles have been detected in several wastewater samples in eastern North Carolina, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. Officials are asking people and providers to be aware of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in the state. So far, there have been two mpox cases in the state; however, a new strain, clade I, has been detected in the wastewater for the first time in NC. Authorities believe this means that there may be undiagnosed or unreported cases. Right now, the risk to the public is considered low. Mpox is typically spread by extended close contact, usually skin-to-skin, and often during sex. There are two genetic types, clade I and clade II. At this time, only four clade I cases have been reported in the United States, not including the particles found in NC wastewater. Officials say clade I mpox is causing a large outbreak in central and eastern Africa, which appears to be from heterosexual contact, leading to cases then being spread to family and children. The NC mpox particles were found in wastewater collected on March 25, March 28 and April 8 in Greenville, NC. No one has reported being infected, so officials say at least one person living in or passing through the area may have been infected. 'The detection of clade I mpox virus in wastewater surveillance tells us the virus is potentially here in our state, even though no cases have been reported and confirmed,' said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. 'We encourage health care providers to be on the lookout for mpox cases and we encourage people who are at higher risk to protect themselves by getting vaccinated.' NC lawmakers debate over bill that would require committee to oversee books in school libraries NCDHHS asks that health care providers consider mpox as a possible diagnosis if a patient's symptoms match, as well as ask about recent international travel. Providers should report any cases to the local health department or the NCDHHS Division of Public Health's 24/7 epidemiologist on-call number at 919-733-3419. These particle findings were a result of the North Carolina Wastewater Monitoring Network, which launched in 2021 to learn more about the spread of certain viruses across the state. The network is a collaboration among NCDHHS, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, wastewater utilities and local health departments. Wastewater samples are tested for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), influenza (the flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). People who have these infections shed particles in their stool, even if they don't have symptoms. The particles aren't infectious anymore, but can be detected in a lab. , NCDHHS says the network has been vital in tracking and responding to viruses as well as a crucial early warning system; however, it is at risk due to proposed federal funding cuts. Officials continue that it is a crucial early warning system to help health officials and providers make decisions, including how to prevent infections. The network results are shared on the . Testing for mpox is done at 18 sites in the state, and the results can be viewed on the . If you think you may have mpox, or could have come in contact with someone with the virus, contact your health care provider or local health department. Symptoms include a rash anywhere on the body, including genitals, hands, feet, chest, face or mouth. The rash can look like pimples or blisters at the beginning and may be painful or itch. The rash will go through several different stages, like scabs, before finally healing. Some people may have flu-like symptoms or just a rash and no other symptoms. Vaccines against both strains of mpox are available and can reduce the severity of the infection if caught. More information can be found on the . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
