Our Staff
Our staff and more than 3,000 members work to guarantee quality care and treatment for more than 95,000 people each year treated by the Dept. of Mental Health and those seeking private care. MHA's are often a first point of contact for families needing help for a family member with mental illness, someone contemplating suicide or a parent needing guidance for a child who has an emotional disorder.
MHASC Staff
Joy Jay-Executive Director
Joy graduated from Jacksonville State University in 1978, and her career began in the mental health field at the Alabama Institute of Mental Health Care. Joy has worked with the Sc Department of Mental Health, the SC Mental Health Partnership, and the SC Housing Authority.
Joy’s non-profit experience includes being in charge of a high-risk children’s program in Spartanburg for seven years, Director of the Mental Health Association of Aiken County for five years, and Director of the Aurora Foundation for six years. She has a total of 30 years of non-profit and mental health experience. In July 2002, Joy became the Director of Mental Health America of South Carolina, where she has started programs such as the Suicide Prevention Program, 600 housing units for persons with mental illness, and the new Don’t Duck Mental Health Program.
Joy Jay resides in Columbia with her husband of 30 years, Graylin Jay. She has one son, Trevor, who attends the University of Alabama Engineering Doctoral Program and a daughter, Ashleen, who is a nurse.
Anita T. Baker- Administrator to the Director of MHASC
Anita T. Baker has worked for MHASC since November 2007, although she has been a lifelong volunteer. Growing up she would come to the office with her mother and help out where she could. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Her undergraduate degree was earned from the South Carolina Honors College in International Studies and she holds a Masters of Public Administration also earned from USC Graduate School. She has worked in health insurance, as a pharmacy technician, and in fulltime ministry for Russian Language Ministries in north Columbia.
She is involved in organizations such as NAMI, World Affairs Council, and her local church. She also is a staffwriter for The Columbia Star.
Ann Blencowe- Administrative Assistant
Ann is a 1971 graduate of AC Flora High and a 1975 graduate from The University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in History. She then went on to achieve a paralegal degree in 1978 and worked as a real estate paralegel for 7-8 years. After her career as a real estate paralegal she travelled the state working for various newspapers.Ann then returned to The University of South Carolina graduate school to pursue a Masters in Journalism. During her last semester in graduate school she began struggling with her mental illness. In 1998 she was placed on the right medication for her and her life began to take a different direction. She began working at Mental Health America and has been with the organization for 11 years.
Ann was born on November 13, 1952 in Columbia and has lived in the area most of her life. She is the daughter of Annie Louise and Dick Blencowe and has three younger brothers, all in the computer business.
Constance Shepard- Affiliate Director
Constance is a graduate from Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree and a Masters of Social Work Degree from the University of Georgia in Athens. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Constance has nearly 30 years of professional work experiences in human services in a variety of environments. All of which has helped prepare her for her current position as the Affiliate Director for the Mental Health Association in South Carolina.
Constance enjoys humor, especially laughing, reading, traveling and meeting people. She has one daughter, age 21.
Donna Soileau- Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Donna Soileau is a 1982 graduate of Auburn University. She is the former Director of Mental Health America of Sumter County and currently serves as the Coordinator for Suicide Prevention for Mental Health America of South Carolina. She received her suicide prevention certification from the QPR Institute in 2004 and received her Master QPR trainer certification in June 2007. She has trained over 2000 gatekeepers.
Donna is married, has two sons and enjoys reading, traveling and outdoor adventures.
Greta Swink- Financial Administrator
Greta Swink is the Financial Administrator for Mental Health America. She has been with the agency since 1996. Greta enjoys reading, traveling and snow skiing. She is married and has 13 year old twins.