RALEIGH, N.C.—Community Support Services Providers and Recipients will hold a rally on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Legislative Building Halifax Mall. The rally is being held to bring attention to the state’s proposed mental health budget cuts.

“We are banding together to exercise our civic responsibility to oppose the proposed dismantling of Community-Based Mental Health Care in North Carolina,” says Bobbie Ghaffar who heads the Native Angels Homecare Agency in Pembroke, the 2007 National Small Business of the Year.

The General Assembly has proposed cutting community-based services by more than $59 million for FY 2009-10 and more than $115 million for FY 2010-11.

Supporters, those receiving services and mental health advocates are asked to join the agency to let the legislature know that continued state support for these services is vital.

“If you receive these services or know of someone who does, or if you are a mental health advocate please join us as we band together to preserve these much needed services in our communities,” says Ghaffar.  “North Carolina has long been known for its compassionate care for those with mental illness. Eliminating community based programs puts those individuals receiving these services and their families at  much greater risk.”