Dear Ms. Lovato,
My name is Edward Binanay. I am with the University of North Carolina (UNC ) Psychiatry department. We provide mental health services to mentally ill patients/clients in North Carolina. Thirteen years ago, my 35-year-old son David a great violinist, after graduating from college, had an onset of mental illness. He is still being treated at one of UNC’s first episode program called OASIS. He is doing quite well and is now married, has a wonderful 3-year-old daughter.
Your consistent message of love and acceptance, whether voiced through your music or your words, has led to your admiration around the world. To be sure, we all do need to take care of each other.
Thank you for reminding people that it is “ok” to speak openly about their mental health issues and for stressing the importance of seeking help.
At The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, we work diligently to develop evidence-based programs that support those currently struggling with mental health issues as well as those who find themselves at risk based on how they identify as human beings.
Some examples of our programs include:
• The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) works to foster a safe inclusive environment for UNC-Chapel Hill students of all sexualities, gender identities, and gender expressions.
• Our Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Aurora Study Center is a national research initiative to improve the understanding, prevention, and recovery of individuals who have experienced a traumatic event.
• The Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders provides a caring space for patients where personalized treatment and scientific expertise help us effectively treat these issues.
• The Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health serves those with serious mental illness diagnoses achieve the fullest recovery possible and provides them with support as they re-enter the community.
• The Center for Women’s Mood Disorders specializes in the evaluation, and care of women with mood disorders including Reproductive, Postpartum, Perinatal Care and others.
• Our Brushes with Life is a creative arts program featuring visual art, poetry, film, and music. The program participants find healing through these mediums and often a path to recovery through this innovative approach.
• The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) assist our students to provide quality, caring mental health services with an approach to mental health that integrates physical, emotional, academic, spiritual, social, and cultural well-being.
• UNC Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) The Time to Get Help is Now: Assist individuals with alcohol and substance abuse dependency. The UNC team supports this initial step in the process to personal recovery.
It would be an honor to host you on our campus for a visit and meet our 30,000 undergraduates’ students and talk about the importance of taking care of one’s mental health while in school. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss more about our mental health initiatives in more detail.
Your passion for the cause and the courage you show in addressing mental health issues is inspiring to us all. Please add us to your list of admirers.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sample videos about UNC (Mental Health)
• UNC “For All Kind Video” 1:45 minutes
• UNC PAWS 3:58 minutes
• Refugee Mental Health & Wellness Initiative, UNC School of Social Work 1:44 minutes
• UNC opens first inpatient perinatal psychiatry unit in U.S. 4:41 minutes
• UNC Healthy Heels (100+ videos about taking care of your mental health)
Thank You.
Edward Mira Binanay
Director of Development
UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health
(Psychiatry)
UNC Medicine Development
123 W. Franklin Street, Suite 510
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
P 919.445.0745 E ebinanay@med.unc.edu
C 919.523.1547