ABOUT US
Break the stigma, OBX!
We were formed in 2016, by the Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks to address stigma and other barriers for those who seek help for mental health or substance use issues.
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We are like you - friends, neighbors, sisters, mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, and grandparents.
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We are here because we can do better when it comes to mental health in Dare County.
Our Approach
We provide a community involved approach to address mental health, while being mindful of the three levels of prevention (primary, secondary and tertiary).
Our strategies are designed to address the general public, high risk situations, and for those who are living with mental health concerns.
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About HCOB
Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks (HCOB), our governing body, is a Partnership working towards a healthier Dare County. Coordinated by the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services, and The Outer Banks Hospital, the partnership has input and representation from over 25 local organizations and agencies. The Healthy Carolinians process supports our community in mobilizing people and resources to address community health challenges.
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One of the essential functions of the HCOB Partnership is overseeing the Community Health Assessment process every three years. The partnership participates in the gathering and analysis of primary and secondary data. Once the data is reviewed HCOB prioritizes the identified health opportunities and forms task forces to address concerns as needed.
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Since 2002, Healthy Carolinians Task Forces have played a significant role in bringing many new resources and organizations to Dare County. Some of these include the Community Care Clinic of Dare – a free healthcare clinic for under and uninsured individuals; Dare CASA (Coalition Against Substance Abuse); Dare Respite Care – pairing trained volunteers with family caregivers in order to provide a brief break or respite from the demands of care giving responsibilities, and; NC MOM (Missions of Mercy) – a two day dental clinic providing free dental care to under and un-insured individuals, to name just a few.