The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) Office of Mental Health is the leading provider of School Mental Health Services (SMHS) in the state. SMHS embeds certified Master’s level mental health professionals in schools to provide students with mental health assessment, intervention, and treatment services, including individual, group, and family therapy. SMHS are available in approximately 700-800 schools in South Carolina through partnerships between school districts and DMH Community Mental Health Centers across the state.
To find out if SMHS are available on-site at your child’s school, check with your child’s school counseling office. If your district does not have a partnership with its local SMHC to provide mental health services at the school, you can still access services at the SMHC that serves your county. You can find a directory of BHDD Mental Health Centers and Clinics here: Directory – Mental Health Centers & Clinics.
If you prefer not to use mental health services provided through the SC Department of Mental Health, here are some suggestions on how to find a private mental health provider for your child and/or family:
The Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP) is a program of BHDD that is working to make South Carolina a Zero Suicide state. We do this through training, awareness, and collaboration with other state agencies, nonprofits, communities, and medical and behavioral health care systems.
South Carolinians can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or call 1.800.799.4889 for Lifeline TTY services. You may also Text HOPE4SC to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. Individuals in a mental health crisis that does not require medical assistance may also call Mobile Crisis at 1.833.364.2274. ¿Tiene dificultades para lidiar con sus problemas después de un desastre? Hay esperanza! Para la Prevencion de Suicidio Nacional: 1.888.628.9454. Con la ayuda, llega la esperanza.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support 24/7 to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Teen Line provides a nationwide hotline that can be accessed via phone or text. Teens can access personal peer-to-peer support from other teens who have been trained to respond to these calls and supervised by adult mental health professionals.
This website provides resources for suicide prevention, including those that focus on supporting individuals in minority communities. Mental health resources available for underrepresented communities.
The national organization works in the areas of advocacy and policy as well as providing technical assistance, supports, and resources for families of children who have emotional, behavioral, mental health, and substance abuse challenges.
Children's Trust is a statewide organization that provides trainings, programs, and advocacy that are focused on prevention of child abuse and neglect. For example, it provides trainings and facilitates community conversations around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). It also offers the Strengthening Families program to families of children from ages 6-11 to strengthen families’ resilience and protect against abuse and neglect, and the Triple P Positive Parenting Program. More information and learning opportunities can be found on their website.
A website where South Carolina families with young children can find and determine their eligibility for a variety of public services in the areas of child care and early education, health and safety, special needs and early intervention, food and nutrition, and parenting and family support.
Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) is a program that builds and expands the capacity of state educational agencies—in partnership with state mental health agencies.
They provide parent and youth peer support, training, and advocacy for families of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs and/or substance abuse challenges. Their Family Resource Hub includes fact sheets for families on a broad range of behavioral and mental health challenges facing children and youth. The Federation also offers Peer Support Groups for youth and for parents and caregivers raising children and youth experiencing one or more of these challenges.