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‘This is a crisis.’ UNC Chapel Hill launches mental health program to lower suicide rates statewide

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‘This is a crisis.’ UNC Chapel Hill launches mental health program to lower suicide rates statewide


CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) — Ednitta Wright believes she missed the signs. In December 2015, her daughter Asia Bobbitt,18, was wrapping up her freshmen year at Bennett College when she died by suicide.

“If I would have just listened, I would have seen she was battling with something,” said Wright. “Asia was beautiful inside and out. She was battling with life becoming an adult. That was probably a little hard for her.”

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, suicide rates among Native Americans, African Americans and Hispanics rose between 2018-2021.

Numbers from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services show it’s the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 18. It’s the third leading cause of death for those ages 19 to 34. Males consistently have higher suicide rates.

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“It’s about meeting the community where it is and people in the community where they are,” said Anita Brown-Graham, coordinator of Carolina Cross 100, a partnership between UNC Chapel Hill and all 100 counties statewide working to address needs.

UNC Chapel Hill is tackling suicide rates statewide, which they believe are at crisis levels. The program is called Our State Our Wellbeing Partnering to Prevent Suicide. It will deploy critical resources to communities on a case-by-case basis. Experts expect to serve 10 to 12 communities starting in August.

Communities can apply here.

RELATED | Decoding the difference between mental health and mental illness

“This is becoming such a crisis. There was no choice but to do this program,” said Graham. “So much of this work has to be responsive to what the communities are telling us they need. “

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Listening with compassion is what Wright says could have saved her daughter. Today she honors Asia’s legacy by holding community events in Raleigh Gardens every year in hopes of saving another family from the heartache she’s endured.

“Shine light if there’s a dark place,” she said.

Silent Struggle: ABC11’s town hall aimed at combating youth mental health crisis

WATCH | Our America: Mental State

RELATED | 4,000 adults, children admitted to ER for suicidal thoughts in 2022, WakeMed data finds

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Parents, students react to advisory on social media use, mental health impact



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State senator accused of drunk driving in North Carolina capital city

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State senator accused of drunk driving in North Carolina capital city


RALEIGH, N.C. (WBTV) – A North Carolina state senator was arrested and charged with DWI and other crimes in Raleigh over the weekend, court records revealed.

Wake County records showed 74-year-old Sen. Norman Sanderson was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 18, in the area of Edwards Mill and Trinity roads, which is about half a mile from NC State’s Carter-Finley Stadium.

Records showed Sanderson blew a 0.16 BAC on a breathalyzer test, which is exactly twice the legal limit to drive.

Upon his arrest, Sanderson was charged with DWI, having an open container after drinking and failure to obey a traffic officer.

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He was released from the Wake County jail late Saturday night after he posted a $2,000 bond.

Sanderson is currently in his seventh term in the North Carolina Senate, and previously served one term in the state House.

A Republican, Sanderson represents Carteret, Chowan, Halifax, Hyde, Martin, Pamlico, Warren and Washington counties — all of which are in the northeastern corner of the state.

State Sen. Norman Sanderson was arrested in Raleigh, N.C. on Saturday, Oct. 18.(NC General Assembly/Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services)

Also Read: State representative charged with child sex crimes in North Carolina

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Rain and wind Sunday in North Carolina| Secure objects outdoors and Halloween decorations tonight

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Rain and wind Sunday in North Carolina| Secure objects outdoors and Halloween decorations tonight


Ready for a windy Sunday? Gusts will increase early morning through late afternoon and evening. Saturday night is a good time to secure patio items and Halloween decorations from the Piedmont Triad to the Mountains. Rain and severe storms are possible too.



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Bill Belichick, North Carolina receive scathing report from insider

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Bill Belichick, North Carolina receive scathing report from insider


Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels have suffered through a rough start to the 2025 college football season. After making the leap from the NFL to the college ranks, Belichick was expected to quickly build North Carolina into a contender.

Heading into Friday night’s game against California, the Tar Heels were just 2-3 under Belichick.

All year long, negative reports have come out about Belichick. There have even been loud rumblings that North Carolina could consider moving on from the legendary head coach after just one season.

Read more: Todd McShay Tears Into James Franklin After Penn State Firing

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While it seems much more likely that Belichick will receive at least one more season, things need to improve. He will need to fix a lot of problems that have become very noticeable so far.

With that being said, a new report has been shared about Belichick and the Tar Heels’ football program that are very concerning.

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic made an appearance and shared a scathing report about Belichick and the North Carolina staff.

“It has really been a disastrous start just in terms of, they thought they knew everything, they thought they knew better,” Feldman said. “It’s just been kind of, an interesting window into guys who came from the NFL world, thought they were smarter than everybody else, and the reality is, they didn’t know what they were getting themselves into.”

He also shared that Michael Lombardi, the team’s general manager, is considering changing how the program has been running things.

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“Here we are, Bill Belichick’s 73 years old…It’s just been kind of, this crazy faceplant that you see from the Tar Heels from the standpoint, of, just thinking this is the way we’re going to do it, we’re the 33rd NFL team,” Feldman said. “It’s not like they’re going up against Ohio State and Georgia and Oregon and getting drummed, they’re losing to mediocre programs.”

Ahead of the 2025 season, there is no doubt that the Tar Heels were overhyped. Belichick may be one of the best head coaches in NFL history, but he has looked like one of the worst head coaches in college football.

Read more: James Franklin Connected to Top SEC Job After Being Fired by Penn State

Of course, things can change quickly. Belichick and his staff need to regroup and figure out how to fix things. There is still time to right the ship and get the program back on track.

However, if Belichick and company are unable to do so throughout the remainder of this season and heading into next year, North Carolina may have to consider making a tough decision.

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For more North Carolina Tar Heels and Bill Belichick news and more on college football, head to Newsweek Sports.



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