Charlotte Gets New Model for Severe Mental Illness Care

CHARLOTTE, NC – April 22, 2026 – A new collaboration between outpatient care leader Amae Health and regional healthcare giant Novant Health is set to introduce an enhanced, integrated care model for severe mental illness (SMI) to Charlotte. The partnership will establish a series of specialized outpatient clinics, with the first slated to open on May 18 at 301 S. McDowell Street, aiming to transform how conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression are treated in Mecklenburg County.

This initiative arrives at a critical time for the region. A 2024 Mecklenburg County health report highlighted a worsening mental health crisis, with over 20% of adults reporting frequent poor mental health days. By combining Amae Health’s specialized, whole-person approach with Novant Health's extensive regional infrastructure, the collaboration seeks to address a significant gap in the continuum of care, moving treatment beyond hospital walls and into supportive community settings.

A New Model for a Critical Need

The partnership’s core is a departure from the often fragmented and episodic treatment individuals with severe mental illness receive. Amae Health’s model provides comprehensive, in-person services that address the entire person, not just their diagnosis. Within a single, thoughtfully designed clinic, patients will have access to a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, therapists, primary care physicians, nutritionists, and social support staff. This integrated approach is designed to treat the physical, mental, and social needs that are deeply intertwined in complex mental health conditions.

“Severe mental illness demands more than episodic treatment; it demands continuity,” said Stas Sokolin, Co-Founder and CEO of Amae Health. “Through our collaboration with Novant Health, we’re able to engage patients earlier, coordinate care before discharge, and ensure a supported transition into long-term treatment.”

The new clinics will serve both Medicaid and commercially insured patients, a crucial factor for accessibility in a county where access to care remains a challenge despite recent Medicaid expansion. The goal is to create a sustainable, long-term support system that promotes stability and recovery.

Tackling the Revolving Door of Hospitalization

A central focus of the Amae-Novant collaboration is to break the cycle of repeat hospitalizations that plagues SMI care. Nationally, research published in JAMA Psychiatry indicates that approximately 23% of patients with severe mental illness are readmitted to a hospital within just 30 days of discharge. This “revolving door” phenomenon is costly for the healthcare system and deeply disruptive for patients and their families.

In contrast, Amae Health reports a 30-day readmission rate of below 4% across its existing clinics, a figure it attributes to its intensive, coordinated care model. A key component of this strategy is the embedding of a dedicated Amae transition planner directly within Novant Health hospitals. This planner will work with patients during their inpatient stay, creating a seamless “warm handoff” to the outpatient clinic upon discharge. This proactive approach ensures that patients are connected to follow-up care immediately, a critical step in preventing relapse and supporting sustained recovery.

“Expanding access to high-quality behavioral health care requires strong partnerships and a commitment to meeting people beyond hospital walls,” said Dr. Edward Norris, physician in chief of the Novant Health Psychiatry & Mental Health Institute. “By working closely with Amae Health, we’re extending the care we provide in our hospitals into the community – strengthening connections to outpatient services and supporting individuals and families throughout their wellness journey.”

This model, inspired by the Department of Veterans Affairs' successful mental health intensive case management program, is further enhanced by technology. Amae utilizes a sophisticated data platform that integrates clinical assessments, patient-reported information, and even data from wearables to give clinicians a holistic view of a patient’s progress and flag potential issues before they become crises.

Building on a National Blueprint

The Charlotte expansion is not an isolated experiment but the latest implementation of a proven national strategy for Amae Health. The company has already established a significant footprint through partnerships with some of the country's most prestigious health systems, including NewYork-Presbyterian, Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, and Mass General Brigham in Boston. Through a collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital, Amae even co-founded the Amae Institute, a hub dedicated to developing workforce training to scale this model of care.

By partnering with Novant Health, Amae is integrating its model into a robust system with nearly 800 physician clinics and 19 hospitals across the Carolinas. This partnership leverages Novant’s deep community ties and established care infrastructure to ensure the new clinics are not just standalone facilities but integral parts of the regional healthcare ecosystem.

This approach also aligns perfectly with North Carolina's evolving mental healthcare landscape. The state’s Medicaid program now includes “Tailored Plans” specifically designed for individuals with SMI, covering comprehensive services like assertive community treatment and psychosocial rehabilitation. The Amae-Novant clinics are positioned to work within this framework, providing the exact kind of intensive, coordinated outpatient care that the state’s policies are designed to support.

This new initiative in Charlotte, building on Amae's existing presence in Raleigh and Novant Health's significant local investments—such as the forthcoming Katie Blessing Center for adolescent behavioral health—signals North Carolina's growing role as a center for innovative mental healthcare solutions. Together, Amae and Novant Health are not just opening a new clinic; they are working to construct a more resilient and effective system of support for some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.