North Carolinians and U.S. adults share concerns about mental health resources
Published 3:59 p.m. Thursday
A new High Point University Poll finds that adults in North Carolina and across the United States agree on the importance of mental health and show widespread support for improvements in youth education, access to care and open dialogue. Yet despite national campaigns, awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline remains low, and many respondents report unfamiliarity with their state’s mental health care system.
“This data powerfully confirms what mental health professionals have long observed — mental health still struggles to gain parity with physical health in our systems of care,” said Dr. Lorrie Davis-Dick, assistant professor of nursing and psychiatric mental health coordinator at HPU’s Teresa B. Caine School of Nursing.
988 Suicide & Crisis Line
Just 25% of North Carolinians said they had heard of the 988 mental health crisis line, compared to 21% of adults nationwide. In both samples, a clear majority of respondents —more than 70% — had not heard of the line, which was launched nationwide in 2022 as an emergency resource for mental health crises. Only 7% of North Carolinians and respondents in the national sample said they had used the line, and 6% in North Carolina and 7% nationally said someone they know had used it.
State Mental Health Systems and Room for Improvement
Familiarity with state mental health systems was limited. Only 15% of North Carolina respondents described themselves as “very familiar” with the system in their state, with similar results nationally (16%). About half (51%) of North Carolinians said they were “not very familiar” or had only heard of it, similar to 49% nationwide.
When asked about their views of the current mental health system, only 13% of North Carolinians described their view as “very favorable,” and 29% said “somewhat favorable.” National results were nearly identical.
Support for improving mental health education for young people was strong and consistent across states. In North Carolina, 45% of adults said significant improvements were needed, and 26% said slight improvements were needed. Nationally, 44% called for significant improvements, and 30% for slight improvements.
Most respondents agreed that young people need more resources dedicated to their mental health needs. In North Carolina, 81% either strongly or somewhat agreed with that statement. National results showed the same overall pattern, with 80% in agreement.
Most people in North Carolina were not content with mental health treatment in the U.S. Nearly 60% of North Carolina residents and the same proportion of the national sample agreed that they were not content with the status of mental health treatment.
Perceptions of discrimination and social stigma for people suffering from mental health issues remain widespread. About 76% of North Carolinians said they agree that people with mental health conditions face discrimination in everyday life. In the national sample, 73% agreed. When asked whether mental health impacts all major policy issues in the country, 69% of North Carolinians agreed. National respondents showed nearly identical levels of agreement.
About half (52%) of North Carolina respondents said they would be afraid of police hurting them or a loved one when responding to a mental health crisis. At the national level, a similar 54% agreed with the statement.
Most North Carolinians (51%) indicated they knew what to do if a loved one was experiencing a mental health crisis, disagreeing with a statement that they did not know. Nationally, about 48% said the same thing.
Despite concerns about the mental health system, many respondents said they had someone to turn to in a crisis. About 73% of North Carolinians said they had close friends or family they could rely on for help during a mental health crisis, compared to 71% nationally.
Conversations about mental health have become more common, but gaps remain. Nearly 72% of North Carolinians and 73% of the national sample agreed that talking openly about mental health can reduce stigma. While 65% of North Carolina adults said society is becoming more open and supportive of mental health discussions, just 36% felt mental health is treated as seriously as physical health in their own communities. National results closely mirrored those sentiments concerning mental health discussions and 40% of U.S. adults health mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.
A large majority of North Carolinians (72%) and 71% nationally agreed that social media has a noticeable impact on people’s mental health and anxiety.
“With more than 70% of respondents agreeing that social media significantly impacts mental health and anxiety levels, it’s clear that our digital environment plays a crucial role in emotional well-being’” said Dr. Rachel Phelps, assistant professor of nursing and simulation director at the Teresa B. Caine School of Nursing. “Encouragingly, nearly two-thirds also believe society is becoming more open and supportive about discussing mental health. This suggests a growing awareness and willingness to engage with mental health challenges, even as the platforms that contribute to those challenges continue to shape our daily lives.”
Stress and Anxiety
North Carolinians may be slightly more likely than U.S. adults to say they “very often” feel stressed, anxious or down in the past month — 27% compared to 22%. Even so, majorities of North Carolina residents (61%) and national respondents (63%) characterized their current mental and emotional health as “excellent” or “good.”
Majorities of North Carolinians said they had not talked with others such as mental health professionals (70% had not), friends (57%), or family members (58%). Nationally, nearly three-quarters (74%) had not talked with a professional about mental health, and smaller majorities had not spoken with friends (65%) and family members (62%).
About half of North Carolinians said they use websites (49%) and medical doctors and primary care providers (50%) to learn about mental health resources and information. Similar fractions of the national sample said they learn about mental health resources from websites (49%) and medical doctors/primary care providers (48%). Smaller proportions of these same respondents relied on social media (34% in North Carolina and 30% nationwide), books or journals (31% in North Carolina and 29% nationwide), podcasts (23% in North Carolina and 20% nationwide), or mental health providers such as psychologists or counselors (40% in North Carolina and 37% nationwide) for those resources.
A majority (58%) of North Carolina adults said it is “extremely important” to care for their mental health, slightly higher than the national rate of 55%. Nearly two-thirds of respondents in both groups said they had taken action regularly or at least occasionally to support their mental well-being, such as exercise, journaling, therapy or setting boundaries in the past year.
Family Experiences and Support
According to the poll, family support and shared meals play a key role in shaping mental health experiences and attitudes — both in North Carolina and across the United States. The poll results show strong similarities between state and national samples.
When asked how much their families support their mental health, about 70% of respondents in both groups said “a lot” or “somewhat.” Only 8% in both groups said their families do not support them at all. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of North Carolina residents and adults nationwide (63%) said that their family’s approach to mental health has shaped how they handle their own well-being.
When it comes to early conversations about emotions or mental health, about two-thirds of North Carolinians and U.S. adults report that these topics were “rarely” or “never” discussed growing up. Yet today, about two-thirds of both samples (66% of North Carolinians and 69% of adults nationwide) said they feel “very” or “somewhat” comfortable talking about their mental health with their family.
“Families shape many aspects of our lives, including our mental health,” said Dr. Kirsten Li-Barber, chair and associate professor of psychology at HPU. “These findings offer new insight into just how influential family attitudes and conversations about mental health can be and can provide us with some answers about what helps people feel safe and supported when opening up about mental health concerns.”
Respondents were also asked how likely they would be to reach out for help during a tough time. In both samples, approximately 70% said they were “very” or “somewhat likely” to seek support.
Feelings of personal connection remain strong. More than three-fourths (76%) percent of North Carolina adults and 77% of U.S. adults said they feel “very” or “somewhat” connected to people in their lives.
Eating together with others is another common thread. Seventy-four percent of U.S. adults and 75% of North Carolinians said they share meals with others at least weekly. More than 40% in both samples said that eating together helps them feel more connected or relaxed. Additionally, more than three-quarters of each sample said they thought sharing meals with others is “very” or “somewhat” important to their overall well-being as well as helping their mental health.
“Mealtime can be a great way for people to share thoughts and feel connected with others, which may in turn offer some real benefits for mental health,” Li-Barber said.
Awareness and Attitudes Toward Mental Health – Question Wordings and Responses (April – May 2025)
You likely have heard of some 3-digit telephone lines, such as 911 and 311. Have you heard of the new 3-digit line, 988?
North Carolina:
Yes: 25%
No: 71%
Unsure: 5%
United States:
Yes: 21%
No: 72%
Unsure: 7%
Have you or someone you know used the 988 line?
Me…
North Carolina:
Yes: 7%
No: 87%
Unsure: 6%
United States:
Yes: 7%
No: 88%
Unsure: 5%
Someone I know…
North Carolina:
Yes: 6%
No: 74%
Unsure: 19%
United States:
Yes: 7%
No: 76%
Unsure: 17%
How familiar are you with the mental health care system in your state?
North Carolina:
Very familiar: 15%
Somewhat familiar: 30%
Not very familiar: 42%
Heard of it only: 9%
Unsure: 4%
United States:
Very familiar: 16%
Somewhat familiar: 32%
Not very familiar: 39%
Heard of it only: 10%
Unsure: 3%
Consider the mental health care system in your state. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of this system?
North Carolina:
Very favorable: 13%
Somewhat favorable: 29%
Somewhat unfavorable: 20%
Very unfavorable: 7%
Unsure: 32%
United States:
Very favorable: 14%
Somewhat favorable: 30%
Somewhat unfavorable: 21%
Very unfavorable: 11%
Unsure: 25%
How much improvement, if any, is needed in your state when it comes to mental health education for young people?
North Carolina:
Significant improvement: 45%
Slight improvement: 26%
Not a lot needed: 8%
No improvement needed: 2%
Unsure: 19%
United States:
Significant improvement: 44%
Slight improvement: 30%
Not a lot needed: 7%
No improvement needed: 2%
Unsure: 17%
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
Young people need more mental health resources dedicated to them and their unique needs.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree: 45%
Somewhat agree: 36%
Somewhat disagree: 7%
Strongly disagree: 3%
Unsure 9%
United States:
Strongly agree: 46%
Somewhat agree: 34%
Somewhat disagree: 9%
Strongly disagree: 2%
Unsure: 9%
I have close friends or family I feel comfortable turning to for help if I am in a mental health crisis.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree: 41%
Somewhat agree: 32%
Somewhat disagree: 11%
Strongly disagree: 7%
Unsure: 9%
United States:
Strongly agree: 36%
Somewhat agree: 35%
Somewhat disagree: 11%
Strongly disagree: 8%
Unsure: 10%
I am not content with the status of mental health treatment in this country.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree: 28%
Somewhat agree: 31%
Somewhat disagree: 14%
Strongly disagree: 10%
Unsure: 16%
United States:
Strongly agree: 29%
Somewhat agree: 32%
Somewhat disagree: 14%
Strongly disagree: 11%
Unsure: 15%
People with mental health conditions face discrimination in their everyday life.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree: 35%
Somewhat agree: 41%
Somewhat disagree: 9%
Strongly disagree: 5%
Unsure: 11%
United States:
Strongly agree: 34%
Somewhat agree: 39%
Somewhat disagree: 14%
Strongly disagree: 4%
Unsure: 10%
Mental health impacts all major policy issues in our country right now.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree: 36%
Somewhat agree: 33%
Somewhat disagree: 15%
Strongly disagree: 4%
Unsure: 13%
United States:
Strongly agree: 33%
Somewhat agree: 35%
Somewhat disagree: 14%
Strongly disagree: 5%
Unsure: 14%
I would be afraid the police may hurt my loved one or me while responding to a mental health crisis.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree: 22%
Somewhat agree: 30%
Somewhat disagree: 21%
Strongly disagree: 14%
Unsure: 14%
United States:
Strongly agree: 24%
Somewhat agree: 30%
Somewhat disagree: 18%
Strongly disagree: 15%
Unsure: 13%
I don’t know what to do if someone I love were experiencing a mental health crisis.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree: 13%
Somewhat agree: 28%
Somewhat disagree: 28%
Strongly disagree: 23%
Unsure: 9%
United States:
Strongly agree: 15%
Somewhat agree: 29%
Somewhat disagree: 29%
Strongly disagree: 19%
Unsure: 8%
For each of these statements, please indicate whether you strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, or strongly agree.
I believe that talking openly about mental health can help reduce stigma.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree: 43%
Somewhat agree: 29%
Somewhat disagree: 10%
Strongly disagree: 10%
Unsure: 9%
United States:
Strongly agree: 42%
Somewhat agree: 32%
Somewhat disagree: 9%
Strongly disagree: 9%
Unsure: 8%
I feel that mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health in my community or organization.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree 15%
Somewhat agree 21%
Somewhat disagree: 31%
Strongly disagree: 21%
Unsure: 13%
United States:
Strongly agree: 18%
Somewhat agree: 26%
Somewhat disagree: 26%
Strongly disagree: 17%
Unsure: 13%
I think society is becoming more open and supportive about discussing mental health.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree 24%
Somewhat agree 41%
Somewhat disagree 16%
Strongly disagree 10%
Unsure 10%
United States:
Strongly agree: 25%
Somewhat agree: 42%
Somewhat disagree: 14%
Strongly disagree: 10%
Unsure: 9%
I believe social media has a noticeable impact on people’s mental health and anxiety levels.
North Carolina:
Strongly agree 48%
Somewhat agree 24%
Somewhat disagree 10%
Strongly disagree 11%
Unsure 8%
United States:
Strongly agree: 44%
Somewhat agree: 27%
Somewhat disagree: 10%
Strongly disagree: 10%
Unsure: 9%
How often have you felt stressed, anxious or down in the past month?
North Carolina:
Very often: 27%
Sometimes: 33%
Rarely: 26%
Never: 11%
Unsure: 3%
United States:
Very often: 22%
Sometimes: 37%
Rarely: 26%
Never: 14%
Unsure: 2%
How would you describe your current mental and emotional health?
North Carolina:
Excellent: 20%
Good: 42%
Fair: 26%
Poor: 10%
Unsure: 3%
United States:
Excellent: 23%
Good: 41%
Fair: 26%
Poor: 9%
Unsure: 2%
In the past year, have you talked to anyone for support with your mental health?
A Professional
North Carolina:
Yes: 26%
No: 70%
Unsure: 4%
United States:
Yes: 23%
No: 74%
Unsure: 3%
A Friend
North Carolina:
Yes: 39%
No: 57%
Unsure: 4%
United States:
Yes: 32%
No: 65%
Unsure: 4%
A Family Member
North Carolina:
Yes: 39%
No: 58%
Unsure: 3%
United States:
Yes: 35%
No: 62%
Unsure: 3%
Which of the following do you use to learn about resources and information related to mental health?
Social Media
North Carolina:
Yes: 34%
No: 61%
Unsure: 5%
United States:
Yes: 30%
No: 64%
Unsure: 6%
Books or journals
North Carolina:
Yes: 31%
No: 61%
Unsure: 7%
United States:
Yes: 29%
No: 64%
Unsure: 7%
Podcasts
North Carolina:
Yes: 23%
No: 71%
Unsure: 6%
United States:
Yes: 20%
No: 73%
Unsure: 7%
Websites
North Carolina:
Yes: 49%
No: 44%
Unsure: 7%
United States:
Yes: 49%
No: 45%
Unsure: 6%
Medical Doctor or Primary Care Provider
North Carolina:
Yes: 50%
No: 43%
Unsure: 7%
United States:
Yes: 48%
No: 46%
Unsure: 6%
Mental health providers, such as psychologists or counselors
North Carolina:
Yes: 40%
No: 53%
Unsure: 7%
United States:
Yes: 37%
No: 56%
Unsure: 7%
How important is it to actively take care of your mental health?
North Carolina:
Extremely important: 58%
Very important: 28%
Somewhat important: 8%
Not very important: 2%
Not important at all: 1%
Not sure: 3%
United States:
Extremely important: 55%
Very important: 30%
Somewhat important: 10%
Not very important: 2%
Not important at all: 1%
Not sure: 3%
In the past year, have you taken any steps to improve or maintain your mental health (e.g., exercise, therapy, journaling, setting boundaries)?
North Carolina:
Yes, regularly: 33%
Yes, occasionally: 34%
Thought about it but haven’t taken action: 12%
No: 17%
Not sure: 4%
United States:
Yes, regularly: 32%
Yes, occasionally: 34%
Thought about it but haven’t taken action: 11%
No: 20%
Not sure: 2%
How much do you feel your family supports your mental health?
North Carolina:
A lot: 38%
Somewhat: 32%
Not much: 13%
Not at all: 8%
Not sure: 8%
United States:
A lot: 40%
Somewhat: 32%
Not much: 12%
Not at all: 8%
Unsure: 8%
Growing up, how often were emotions or mental health openly discussed in your family?
North Carolina:
Frequently: 11%
Occasionally: 22%
Rarely: 30%
Never: 33%
Not sure: 4%
United States:
Frequently: 11%
Occasionally: 22%
Rarely: 27%
Never: 36%
Not sure: 4%
How comfortable do you feel talking with your family about mental health today?
North Carolina:
Very comfortable: 33%
Somewhat comfortable: 33%
Not very comfortable: 17%
Not at all comfortable: 11%
Not sure: 6%
United States:
Very comfortable: 33%
Somewhat comfortable: 36%
Not very comfortable: 17%
Not at all comfortable: 9%
Not sure: 5%
Do you think your family’s approach to mental health has shaped how you handle your own well-being?
North Carolina:
Yes, a lot: 30%
Yes, a little: 35%
Not really: 17%
Not at all: 9%
Unsure: 10%
United States:
Yes, a lot: 29%
Yes, a little: 35%
Not really: 18%
Not at all: 8%
Unsure: 11%
If you were going through a tough time, how likely are you to turn to someone for help?
North Carolina:
Very likely: 34%
Somewhat likely: 35%
Not very likely: 19%
Not at all likely: 7%
Not sure: 6%
United States:
Very likely: 35%
Somewhat likely: 36%
Not very likely: 15%
Not at all likely: 9%
Not sure: 5%
How connected do you feel to the people in your life right now?
North Carolina:
Very connected: 40%
Somewhat connected: 36%
Not very connected: 14%
Not at all connected: 6%
Not sure: 4%
United States:
Very connected: 42%
Somewhat connected: 35%
Not very connected: 13%
Not at all connected: 7%
Not sure: 3%
How often do you eat meals with other people, like family or friends?
North Carolina:
Every day: 36%
A few times a week: 25%
About once a week: 13%
Less than once a week: 16%
Never: 6%
Unsure: 4%
United States:
Every day: 36%
A few times a week: 29%
About once a week: 12%
Less than once a week: 13%
Never: 8%
Unsure: 2%
When you eat meals with others, how do you usually feel afterward?
North Carolina:
More connected or relaxed: 41%
About the same as before: 39%
More stressed or tense: 7%
I don’t usually eat with others: 8%
Not sure: 5%
United States:
More connected or relaxed: 41%
About the same as before: 42%
More stressed or tense: 5%
I don’t usually eat with others: 9%
Not sure: 4%
How important is sharing meals with others to your overall well-being?
North Carolina:
Very important: 35%
Somewhat important: 37%
Not very important: 15%
Not important at all: 6%
Not sure: 7%
United States:
Very important: 35%
Somewhat important: 39%
Not very important: 14%
Not important at all: 7%
Not sure: 5%
Do you believe that sharing meals with others helps your mental health?
North Carolina:
Yes, definitely: 38%
Maybe, to some extent: 38%
Not really: 13%
No: 6%
Not sure: 6%
United States:
Yes, definitely: 39%
Maybe, to some extent: 37%
Not really: 11%
No: 8%
Not sure: 5%
Methodology:
HPU Poll 111 was fielded as two separate projects by the High Point University Survey Research Center April 28 through May 3, 2025 (national sample), and April 28 through May 7, 2025 (North Carolina sample), as online surveys using panels of respondents recruited and maintained by Dynata. Dynata sent invitations to its panel of North Carolina respondents and the SRC collected 1,000 responses (an all-adults sample) on its Qualtrics platform. Dynata and HPU SRC followed the same procedure to collect 1,000 responses from the United States as a whole. All respondents were asked two screening questions to identify them as registered voters. A total of 796 respondents in NC identified themselves as registered voters. A total of 837 respondents in the U.S. as whole identified themselves as registered voters.
