AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) – Children and adolescents in North Carolina now have improved access to mental health services through the expansion of the North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP), spearheaded by East Carolina University’s Center for Telepsychiatry.
NC-STeP-Peds, the pediatric extension of this initiative, has integrated mental health care into five pediatric primary care sites across the state: Catawba Pediatric Associates, PA; Clinton Medical Clinic; ECU Pediatrics Clinic; Robeson Pediatrics; and Surf Pediatrics. The final site, Peachtree Pediatrics in Cherokee, is set to join upon contract finalization.
Funded by a $3.2 million grant from the United Health Foundation (UHF), NC-STeP-Peds continues UHF’s partnership with ECU to address mental health challenges and expand care in rural and underserved areas of North Carolina.
Dr. Sy Saeed, director of the ECU Center for Telepsychiatry and founding executive director of NC-STeP, emphasized the program’s innovative approach. “Telepsychiatry is a viable option for providing psychiatric care to underserved populations. NC-STeP integrates evidence-based treatment into routine clinical care, offering telehealth appointments with licensed clinical social workers and psychiatrists directly at pediatric clinics,” Saeed said.
Each participating clinic has dedicated spaces where patients can engage in virtual therapy sessions with licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) and psychiatric consultations, enhancing accessibility and comfort.
Dr. Katie Lowry, a pediatrician at Robeson Pediatrics, highlighted the program’s impact. Following significant community challenges, including two major floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety and depression among her young patients surged. “Before NC-STeP, we had about 150 children on our counseling waitlist. Now, they receive care in a familiar setting, reducing stigma and travel barriers,” Lowry said.
Dr. Christian Lige of Surf Pediatrics in Dare County also noted the program’s benefits. Previously, patients faced waits of up to a year for psychiatric appointments. “With NC-STeP, we connect patients to care within weeks. This timely access is crucial for children in crisis,” Lige explained.
In the first ten months, over 10,000 children and adolescents have been screened for mental health issues, with more than 1,000 indicating a likelihood of behavioral health disorders and 1,800 showing mild to moderate anxiety. Currently, over 200 children are receiving integrated behavioral and primary care services.
Paula Bowen, an LCSW and behavioral health manager for NC-STeP-Peds, emphasized the importance of education and early intervention. “We provide diagnoses, referrals, and therapy, increasing the availability of mental health education and support for families,” Bowen said.
Dr. Saeed underscored the critical timing of these interventions. A JAMA Pediatrics study found that 49.4% of U.S. children with treatable mental health disorders did not receive needed care; in North Carolina, this figure is 72.2%. With 94 out of 100 counties in the state designated as mental health professional shortage areas, early treatment is vital to prevent more severe problems later in life.
“Thanks to UHF, ECU is addressing these gaps through NC-STeP-Peds, ensuring timely and effective mental health care for North Carolina’s youth,” Saeed concluded.
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