Charlotte council proclaims May 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month; community providers urge stronger crisis response and navigation services

Charlotte’s City Council issued a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as National Mental Health Awareness Month and heard a set of short presentations from community providers who described local mental‑health needs and services.

Howard Olshansky, executive director of Jewish Family Services of Greater Charlotte, asked council to view rising youth and senior mental‑health needs as a community priority, citing local survey data showing high levels of anxiety among youth and limited access to treatment for older adults. “Our kids are struggling,” he said, and called for continued investment in services and provider capacity.

CJ Lenek shared a lived‑experience perspective and credited Charlotte Clubhouse with helping him regain community participation after extended psychiatric hospitalization. “Recovery is possible,” Lenek said, and asked council to support peer‑led programs and community resources.

Kate Weaver, executive director of NAMI Charlotte, highlighted the organization’s navigation program that connects residents to care and noted increased visits to Spanish‑language resources following targeted outreach. Rebecca Peacock of Sante Behavioral Health said behavioral crisis responders are already diverting hundreds of people from emergency rooms and encouraged the city to consider mental‑health response as part of public safety planning.

Council thanked the speakers and accepted the proclamation. Several councilmembers said the recognition underscores the need for continued cross‑jurisdictional coordination with county and state partners to expand crisis services and navigation.