Health & Human Services Week 2026

3-3:50 p.m. 
McNeill Hall 1005

Can't join us in-person? Register to attend virtually here.

Faith communities in North Carolina, where approximately 80% of the population self-identifies with a religious tradition, are uniquely positioned to serve as trusted spaces for healing, support, and connection. To become truly trauma-informed, faith leaders must build strong relationships with human service providers so they can effectively connect congregants to appropriate resources, support, and treatment. 

The North Carolina Council of Churches’s goal is to help congregations raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental well-being by fostering a culture of care that addresses the mental health crisis, improves mental health literacy, and strengthens community resilience. Achieving this vision relies on collaboration with human services professionals who help position faith communities as central hubs of support, ensuring mental well-being is recognized as an essential component of holistic health across North Carolina. This session will highlight strategies for identifying and mobilizing community assets, strengthening faith-and-health partnerships, and curating culturally relevant initiatives, while intentionally exploring the bridge needed to connect people, professions, and places across the traditional divide between church and state. 

Presented by:  

• Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director, North Carolina Council of Churches