Alumni Highlight: Heather Palmateer, a Rock in the Storm

When Heather Palmateer graduated from NC State in the Spring of ‘21 with her MSW, she could have never anticipated that, three years later, she would be on the frontlines of Appalachian devastation. Face to face with the trauma inflicted on Western North Carolina by the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Katrina, tragically claiming over two hundred lives in a once-in-1,000-year flood.

Ms. Palmateer, along with three other crisis counselors in the Chapel Hill Police Department, was tasked with offering “critical incident stress management and peer support to responders working tirelessly around the clock”. Primarily, those who had been sent to the Asheville, Henderson, and Conover areas of North Carolina, some of the hardest hit by Hurricane Helene. The responders aided refugees from the westernmost parts of the state in navigating unstable roads and highways, including Route 40 East and Route 26 South, ensuring they made it somewhere safe from the destruction zone. UNC’s Equal Opportunity and Compliance staff also worked nonstop to coordinate such relief efforts.

The Crisis Unit Heather Palmateer was a part of traveled to aid the EOC in Raleigh with their Wellness Coordinator, and together, their mission to provide dynamic, compassionate results for these selfless individuals came to fruition. Heather told us, “At times it can be challenging to show up for the community when you are worried for your loved ones. However, seeing all of the amazing support efforts and how hard folks were working to help the people of Western NC, including my family, was truly so uplifting and inspiring.”. Heather, along with three other counselors, received awards for their meritorious community conduct. Heather also said, “Officers who responded out to the mountains also received these awards. It was an incredible honor and a huge surprise!”.

When asked if there were any classes she took during her time at NC State that helped prepare her for challenges and situations exactly like the one she faced last fall, Heather told us she recalled one class in particular, SW320, Social Work Practice I,  led by Dr. Natalie Ames, that taught her “the core tenants and some of the most foundational principles of social work in moments of high stress or when dealing with crises”. Heather went on to say that Dr. Ames instilled the values of genuine human connection in her class, and that she believed it has made her a better social worker, and even a better person, as a result. 

When asked about the silver lining of all this, Heather gave a more lighthearted take on what would typically be a very bleak situation. She greatly values the relationships she had the chance to build with the honorable officers of her county, and she would often hear them say, “We need Crisis!” in reference to Heather’s unit and the lasting positive impact they’ve had on their mental fortitude. While the term may sound a tad ironic, Heather smiles whenever she hears it and finds herself grateful for the hope and optimism she has helped foster in her community.

“There’s no hiding it, the work you have chosen will often be challenging and complicated. But it will also be absolutely life-changing. Despite the many challenges we may face in this field, I have found that every difficult day is worth it in the end.”

Heather wanted to leave us with a final message for the current and future students of the School of Social Work: “There’s no hiding it, the field you have chosen will often be challenging and complicated. But it will also be absolutely life-changing. Despite the many challenges we may face in this field, I have found that every difficult day is worth it in the end. Social workers have the unique strength to support people on their worst days, while still recognizing the best in them. Trust in yourself and remember, you’ve got this!”. With that, we’d like to thank Ms. Palmateer for sharing her story and for the brilliance she brings to her field every single day. Much love from North Carolina State University, and we hope you never stop being a rock in the storm.