Wake Forest, NC – Bright Path Behavioral Health, a CARF‑accredited provider of adolescent mental‑health services, named Michael Carroll as its vice president of growth and development. The appointment adds a seasoned business‑development leader to the organization’s executive team as it works to expand access to care for teens throughout the state.
Experienced leader joins Bright Path
Carroll brings nearly two decades of experience in business development, sales, and relationship building, including eight years focused on behavioral‑health care. He has collaborated with Bright Path for more than five years and joins with a deep understanding of the organization’s leadership, programs, and mission to serve adolescents.
Focus on community partnerships and teen access
In his new role, Carroll will shape business‑development strategy, strengthen professional and community partnerships, and support responsible growth of Bright Path’s services. The organization offers partial‑hospitalization and intensive‑outpatient programs for adolescents ages 12 to 18 at its Wake Forest and Hillsborough locations. Services include dialectical‑behavior‑therapy‑based treatment, individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, academic support, and family involvement.
Leadership comments
“Michael has known Bright Path through years of collaboration, and he understands both the strength of our team and the needs families bring to us,” said Dr. Shantel Sullivan, CEO of Bright Path Behavioral Health. “He brings deep experience in adolescent behavioral health and a relationship‑centered approach to growth. I’m excited to welcome him to our leadership team as we strengthen community partnerships and work to make care more accessible to teens and families.”
Carroll’s personal commitment
Carroll, a father, said his motivation is rooted in personal concern for families seeking quality care close to home. “Too many families in the Carolinas still struggle to find the right level of care for their teen close to home,” he said. “My long‑term hope is that every family in our region can reach a high‑quality, in‑person adolescent treatment program within a 45‑minute drive.”
State of adolescent mental‑health care
Access to adolescent mental‑health services remains a national concern. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 27.6% of adolescents ages 12 to 17 received mental‑health treatment during the year. Among those who experienced a major depressive episode, 42.3%—approximately 1.6 million young people—did not receive treatment.
Looking ahead
Carroll’s appointment comes as Bright Path continues to pursue responsible expansion while maintaining its accreditation and state licensing standards. By deepening relationships with referral partners, clinicians, schools, and other professionals, the organization aims to increase awareness of its care levels and support families navigating adolescent mental‑health treatment.
Bright Path Behavioral Health remains committed to providing high‑quality, community‑based care for teens throughout North Carolina.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
