The Official Web Site of the State of South Carolina

Equity, Opportunity & Excellence in Education

Mental Health Support for South Carolina Students

Mental Health Support

Mental Health Services in Public Schools 

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health (DMH) 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 630 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 CMHC to provide mental health services at the school, you can still access services at the CMHC that serves your county. You can find a directory of SCDMH Mental Health Centers and Clinics here: Directory – Mental Health Centers & Clinics (scdmh.net) 

In accordance with an Executive Order by the Governor dated January 12, 2022, the SC Department of Health and Human Services is currently conducting a review of the SMHS program to assess the availability of mental health services to children in schools, identify barriers to access, consider opportunities for improvement, and determine the most effective use of existing and new funds. 

Other Mental Health Services Providers leaf

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: 

  • Consult your pediatrician

  • Talk to your school’s guidance counselor, social worker, or school-based mental health professional 

  • Ask your health insurance company for a directory of providers 
     

Sources of Information and Trainings on Mental Health Issues including Suicide Awareness and Prevention  

National Organizations 

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org) provides free and confidential emotional support 24/7 to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.  

  • Teen Line (www.teenline.org) 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. 

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National Organizations with South Carolina Affiliates 

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Home | AFSP This website provides resources for suicide prevention, including those that focus on supporting individuals in minority communities. Mental health resources for underrepresented communities (afsp.org) You can find information on AFSP South Carolina here: South Carolina | AFSP.  

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness is a national education and advocacy organization that addresses a range of different mental health conditions. NAMI South Carolina (NAMISC)  Homepage - NAMI South Carolina (namisc.org) provides free mental health support, online support groups, resources, nationally recognized education classes, and advocacy programs through local offices located throughout the state. Among the trainings available is the “Ending the Silence” suicide awareness and prevention presentation for middle and high school students, staff and/or families. NAMI also helps schools to “Go Lime Green,” to promote mental health awareness at school athletic events.  Support groups for families of children with mental health challenges are also available. 

  • National Federation of Families National Federation of Families, Family Voice, Family Peer Support (ffcmh.org). 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. Federation of Families of South Carolina Federation of Families of South Carolina | A Voice for Children's Mental Health (fedfamsc.org)  provides 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. 

State Agencies and Organizations 

  • 844-SC-HOPES, sponsored by the SC Department of Mental Health, is an anonymous support line that connects callers who are struggling with depression and anxiety, addiction, or other mental health challenges with an experienced team of mental health and addiction counselors. Spanish-language speakers can access similar services by calling 833-TU-APOYO (882-7696).   

  • leafChildren’s Trust of South Carolina https://scchildren.org 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. 

  • First 5 SC First 5 (first5sc.org) is 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. 

  • SC Department of Education, Office of Student Intervention Services (OSIS). The Mental Health Program Manager in the OSIS collaborates with districts and schools, agencies and organizations, and communities to enhance school-based mental health services. Upon request, this Office also provides trainings on a wide range of mental health-related topics to schools, families, and communities. Contact Mental Health Program Manager Suzanne Snyder at ssnyder@ed.sc.gov 

  • SC Department of Mental Health (SCDMH), Office of Suicide Prevention: SCDMH Office of Suicide Prevention | While I breathe, I hope.  This website offers downloadable video and print materials as well as a variety of in person and virtual trainings that can be requested by schools and other organizations to address suicide awareness and prevention.