Program Overview

Alicia is the Mental Health First Aid Program Manager. She oversees all MHFA Projects and Initiatives for expansion and sustainability efforts. She began spearheading the MHFA program with the Behavioral Health Springboard as the MHFA Coordinator in March 2022. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist – Associate. She attended East Carolina University obtaining a Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Career Counseling as well as a Graduate Certificate in both Substance Use Counseling and Vocational Evaluation. Alicia has a passion for Mental Health Equity, Resilience, and Suicide Prevention. Alicia is a citizen of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe of North Carolina, and grew up in rural southeastern NC in her tribal community. These roots empower her to prioritized historically marginalized communities. For self-care Alicia enjoys play tennis, being in nature, and spending quality time with friends, family and her fur baby Cayden.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciafreemanlcmhclcas/

Amaris is the School Based Mental Health First Aid Coordinator co-leading this initiative since June 2024, on behalf of Behavioral Health Springboard. Amaris champions the Mental Health First Aid program, advocating for its potential to dismantle stigma and forge connections to vital mental health resources for young individuals. Before embarking on this initiative, she completed her Masters of Social Work at North Carolina State University. Amaris has worked in a multitude of clinical settings ranging from inpatient hospitals, community mental health agencies, and most recently Durham Public Schools as the District Mental Health Specialist. Amaris has supported many community health initiatives including: the oversight of the co-located mental health program that helps provide school based mental health services, evidence-based clinical consultation to student support services staff, supporting students in both short-term and long-term suspension settings, and advocating for the implementation of Youth and Teen Mental Health First aid within school systems. Amaris championed the implementation of Teen Mental Health First Aid at a high school in Durham Public Schools. One of the first in the state through the initiative. Amaris is trained as an Adult, Youth, and Teen Instructor is a Certified Restorative Practices Trainer through IIRP. When not coordinating this initiative, Amaris can be found spending time with friends, doing community service within her chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir at her church, and spending time with her dog Gisele.

Feel free to set up a time to speak with me! Book time with Sampson, Amaris Gabrianna

Alex is the Adult Behavioral Health Program Specialist at UNC Behavioral Health Springboard. She instructs Youth and Adult MHFA trainings and is certified to instruct QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings. In addition to her work with the MHFA programs, she also provides support for Provider Training, the NC Pregnancy and Opioid Exposure Project, and the Workforce Development Stipend.

Nina works as the School Behavioral Health Program Specialist for the Behavioral Health Springboard. She works to support the implementation of Teen and Youth Mental Health First Aid in high schools state-wide via coordination, technical assistance, implementation support, and as a trainer. She came to the team in September 2023 after working in schools in Denver, Colorado as a school social worker/EC specialist and school-based therapist. During her time in the schools, Nina saw firsthand the need for evidence-based, comprehensive, and engaging material that teaches adults and youth how to support, and connect with resources, young people who might be struggling. In her free time, Nina can be found reading, daydreaming about her future (one day!) therapy farm, or going for strolls with her retired therapy dog Fuego.

You can connect with her on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/nina-muller-lcsw-84b84115b

Javan Emanuel Richardson, an emerging leader, executive strategist, and evolving coach was raised in a family deeply committed to ministry. At four years old, he would sit outside and speak with a spatula serving as his microphone. His grandmother listened, encouraging him to remain humble, obedient and focused. He’s lived by these principles and recognizes that they’ve been instrumental to his achievements. He enjoys spending time with his family, especially his nephew Eli & niece Elani — they are his pride & joy. With a burning passion for achievement, Javan’s ardent desire is to help the next generation tap into their potential and recognize unparalleled success in every area of life. Trained under the tutelage of Dr. Haywood and Dr. Wanda Frazier-Parker, he now walks out his calling as a public speaker, author, visionary, executor, and innovator inspiring audiences both in ministry and the marketplace. His charismatic style delivers practical truths that empower his listeners to live authentically and grow spiritually — in fact Javan released his first book in 2019 entitled “Your Wealth Is In Your Hands”. In 2022, Javan released his first coursebook “Write the Story, Make it Plain” providing aspiring authors essential steps to compose their book. Javan holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University and recently earned his Master’s in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina Central University. Javan is now currently pursuing his Doctoral degree as well. Javan loves academia and has held positions at Duke University, Wake Forest University, & North Carolina State University. Along with public speaking Javan is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Ruby is the CEO of RBH Wellness Solutions, where she assists businesses, government agencies and nonprofits with creating employee well-being strategies that support mental health at work while improving belonging, engagement, and retention. In addition, she provides project management for local, state, and national initiatives.

Ruby holds a Bachelor of Social Work from UNC Wilmington and a Master of Education in Student Personnel Services from the University of South Carolina. She has over 20 years of experience in program management, adult, continuing and higher education and is recognized as a state and national leader in corporate wellness and community mental health education. Ruby served as North Carolina’s first MHFA state coordinator, where she coordinated the state’s initiative to disseminate MHFA across the state. She began working with the NC Division of Child and Family Wellbeing in February 2023 to develop and implement this statewide initiative for youth and teen MHFA in schools and youth serving organizations across North Carolina. She also serves as a member of the National Trainers Corps for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, where she trains Mental Health First Aid instructors across the US.

Ruby lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and is the mother of college age twin daughters, both of whom have lived experience with mental health challenges.

FUN FACT: She met her husband online before online dating was cool. That was April 1998 in a Yahoo chat room!

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn!