H1159 teaches teens who are in grades nine through 12 how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use among their friends. Experts say teens are often more likely to open up to their friends than an adult. (Photo: Getty Images)
Danielle South says from all appearances, her son Parker had it all. At 17 years old, she said, he was a hardworking student, excelled in sports at Myers Park High School, and had a vibrant personality. But on November 11, 2025, Parker died by suicide.
South told lawmakers Wednesday that her son had “a growing faith” and was the last person she would have thought would be in crisis.
Danielle and Bo South advocate for House Bill 1159, titled “Investing in Teen Mental Health,” during a May 13, 2026 press conference. (Photo: NCGA livestream)“We truly believe that because of the lack of conversation, and because of the stigma surrounding mental health, that Parker did not know what was happening to him was a health issue — that it was temporary and that it could be fixed,” said South.
South and her husband, Bo, made the trek from Charlotte to Raleigh to advocate for House Bill 1159, titled “Investing in Teen Mental Health.”
The legislation would appropriate $1.3 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to Teen Mental Health First Aid training in North Carolina.
The evidence-based program, based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, teaches teens in grades nine through 12 how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use among their friends. It has trained more than 7,500 youth and teens in 44 counties since 2023.
Rep. Brandon Lofton (D-Mecklenburg) said the additional funding would bring mental health training to 75 additional high schools in North Carolina, reaching over 15,000 students.
Alicia Freeman with the UNC School of Social Work said the course teaches teens how to recognize possible warning signs and how to connect someone in distress with a trusted adult or someone trained in youth mental health first aid. The course is offered in-person or online.
“We know the earlier we can intervene, the better the outcomes. So it’s prevention upstream rather than crisis intervention, because when a suicide has occurred, crisis intervention is too late,” said Freeman.
About 50% of mental illness shows up by the age of 14, according to Freeman.
Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston), a former registered nurse, said the program holds promise because teenagers often connect with teenagers, not adults.
Rep. Sarah Crawford (D-Wake) agreed with that assessment. Crawford said she has two teenage daughters. One is open about her emotions, and the other is less forthcoming.
“Yes. No. Fine. That’s about it,” said Crawford. “I deeply recognize the need for these types of support services for our young people.”
Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth), a senior budget chair in the N.C. House, said he signed onto H1159 because he sees it as another tool to address North Carolina’s youth mental health crisis.
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In the last budget cycle, Lambeth said DHHS requested $835 million for mental health care reforms. “We invested and we’re in various stages of trying to implement that plan,” he said.
Lambeth said this session, budget writers are continuing to work on raising pay needed to retain school psychologists and school nurses. “It won’t happen overnight, but if we get a little bit added each year, we can get there at some point.”
Lambeth said his own daughter is a guidance counselor, and he’s well aware the state must do better than it has done in the past.
“Twenty-five percent of teens report depression and anxiety. Suicide is the leading cause of death among youth 10 to 14,” said Lambeth, looking at his notes. “That ought to scare us to death.”
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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