State Partners with CHESS Health and Diamond Mind to Provide Specialized Recovery Support Through Mobile App
WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has announced a new initiative aimed at supporting the mental health and recovery needs of the state’s veteran population through enhanced digital resources.
In partnership with CHESS Health and Diamond Mind, LLC, the department is expanding its Connections: Recovery Support app to include specialized services tailored specifically for military veterans and the mental health providers who serve them.
A Comprehensive Digital Recovery Platform
The Connections app, North Carolina’s free digital recovery platform, provides 24/7 access to trained peer support specialists, moderated online communities, daily wellness check-ins, and evidence-based coping tools. Available in both English and Spanish, the app is open to all North Carolinians seeking recovery support, as well as providers looking to enhance their service offerings.
“We are committed to building a mental health system that serves all North Carolinians, including the many veterans that call our state home,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “Veterans face a distinct set of challenges when transitioning to civilian life, and these often increase the risk of substance use and mental health issues. We must remain committed in our service to them just as they committed to serving our nation.”
Addressing a Critical Need
With more than 615,000 veterans comprising approximately 7.3% of North Carolina’s adult population, the need for veteran-specific mental health resources is substantial. The new initiative will provide culturally relevant and strengths-based support that focuses on the positive attributes and skills veterans bring to civilian life.
The urgency of this work is underscored by sobering statistics from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, North Carolina recorded 209 veteran deaths by suicide—a rate of 30.4 deaths per 100,000. While this figure is lower than the national veteran suicide rate of 34.7 per 100,000, it remains significantly higher than the rate for non-veterans, which stands at 17.8 per 100,000.
“Veterans deserve mental health and recovery services that honor their unique experiences and treat them with dignity and respect,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. “This initiative strengthens our statewide commitment to veteran-centered, accessible care and underscores the vital role communities play in supporting those who have served.”
Training and Support Opportunities
To support the initiative’s launch, North Carolina behavioral health professionals are invited to attend a free training session on October 22. Accredited by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, the session will equip clinicians and recovery staff with culturally competent tools to better serve veteran populations.
Additionally, North Carolina veterans are invited to participate in dedicated peer-led support huddles on November 10. These confidential conversations will take place within the Connections app, providing veterans with a safe space for authentic dialogue with peers who understand their experiences.
“Our veterans have served with courage and commitment, and they deserve a mental health system that serves them with the same dedication,” said Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “This initiative ensures veterans have the tools and trusted connections they need to continue thriving at home. By linking digital recovery support with veteran-centered care, we’re closing gaps, reducing stigma, and reminding every veteran that help and hope are always within reach.”
About the Partners
Diamond Mind, LLC, founded by retired Marine Corps pilot Garret Biss, brings specialized expertise in veteran mental health and recovery coaching. After facing his own challenges with anxiety, depression, and addiction following military service, Biss developed a unique recovery approach emphasizing self-worth, identity, and veterans’ inherent strengths. His organization delivers transformational workshops and coaching programs, including the veteran-specific ValiantPath and Warrior Reset initiatives.
CHESS Health, which previously partnered with NCDHHS to support individuals recovering from substance use disorders across the state, is a leading digital health innovator. The organization provides evidence-based solutions that enhance prevention initiatives, facilitate care coordination, and deliver recovery support tools designed to improve treatment retention and clinical outcomes.
The Connections: Recovery Support app is available for free download to all North Carolinians. For more information about the veteran-specific resources or to register for the October 22 training session, visit the NCDHHS website.
