'No wrong door’: Event examines path to mental health support

Published on September 24, 2026

What happens when you need help during a mental health crisis, but find that help isn’t as simple as making a phone call?

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, community members will have an opportunity to experience that challenge firsthand during the second annual Mental Health Simulation and Panel Discussion from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cabarrus Health Alliance at Brown Mill, 526 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord.

Each participant will receive a character profile representing an individual or family experiencing a mental health crisis. Participants will then move through a series of real-world scenarios and obstacles, making decisions and navigating challenges along the way.

The simulation is designed to show what it can feel like when someone seeking help is already overwhelmed and then encounters long waits, eligibility requirements, limited resources, disconnected services or other barriers.

“When someone is in crisis, there should be no wrong door,” said Cabarrus County Behavioral Health Director Dr. Kamilah McKissick. “There should be a pathway to help, regardless of where that person enters the system. But too often, families encounter closed doors, long waits, eligibility barriers or are sent from one system to another trying to find the help they need. By the time a family reaches that point, they are already overwhelmed. We are committed to doing better.”

McKissick said the simulation is also an opportunity to bring people together to better understand the challenges families face and identify ways to improve the system.

“We want people to experience what families experience, not just hear about it,” McKissick said. “Most importantly, we want them to leave asking, ‘How can I be part of the solution?’”

The simulation will be followed by a panel discussion and question-and-answer session featuring Cabarrus County behavioral health crisis providers and state leaders including Kelly Crosbie, Director of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS).

The event is part of Cabarrus County’s ongoing work to build a more connected, trauma-informed behavioral health system where individuals and families can access the right support at the right time.

The event is sponsored by Vaya Partners, Healthy Blue Care Together, Cabarrus County Health and Human Services, Amazing Grace Advocacy, NAMI Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly, and Support, Inc.

For McKissick, the goal is to create a community where people experiencing a crisis are met with connection rather than another barrier.

“We cannot change what we are unwilling to see,” McKissick said. “We have to understand the experience, identify the gaps and work together to build a system where people are met with compassion, connection and a clear pathway to care.”

Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

Free registration is required and spots are limited. Reserve your spot at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/dj3rxys