Too many people in Charlotte are struggling with mental health — and too many are being left behind by a system that’s underfunded, fragmented, and full of barriers.

Right now in Mecklenburg County, 1 in 5 adults report being diagnosed with depression. Suicide attempts among young people are rising. And people in crisis are often forced to wait weeks or even months for help they need now.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

People like Luther Kissam V, who has survived suicide attempts, hospitalizations, and the stigma of bipolar disorder, are speaking out. He was able to recover with the right support, but he knows many others never get that chance.

Access to care is still deeply unequal in Charlotte. If you have money or the right insurance, you may find help. If you live in a low-income neighborhood, are uninsured, or speak a different language, your options shrink fast. Some families wait 11 years from the first signs of mental illness before treatment begins. That’s unacceptable.

There are efforts underway, new facilities like the Katie Blessing Center, groups like NAMI Charlotte and HopeWay, and even a strategic plan from the county. But progress is slow, and the community deserves more.

This isn’t just about healthcare. It’s about saving lives, preventing trauma, and making Charlotte a place where everyone, not just the privileged, can get help when they need it.

Sign this petition to demand that Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte fully fund, expand, and coordinate mental health care across the region.