About Mental Health America of South Carolina

MHASC is an affiliate of the National Mental Health America, founded by former psychiatric patient and Yale graduate Clifford W. Beers to expose and correct the injustices he experienced and observed during hospitalizations for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Mental Health America of South Carolina (MHASC) has served the state of South Carolina since 1954 as a private, not for profit, 501(c) 3 organizations. In 2004, MHASC celebrated its golden anniversary as an affiliate of the oldest mental health advocacy organization in the nation. MHASC has 23 affiliates, 7 of which are staffed, but much of the work is accomplished by dedicated volunteers who lend their time and talents to the daily tasks of running the organizations. We are a grassroots organization with the state office, MHASC, providing a statewide presence with governmental agencies, developing policies which guide activities across the state, following legislation which will improve and expand mental health care in South Carolina, establishing local affiliates in counties not currently represented in our family and providing leadership, oversight, guidance and support to our local affiliates already in existence.

The state association sponsors statewide educational conferences and initiatives to achieve our mission. MHASC sponsors annual conferences on mental health issues, maintains a resource library and web page and coordinates statewide health fairs and screenings. We educate civic groups, churches, the media, elected officials and the public about mental illness. We help navigate the state mental health system for clients and lobby for sound mental health practices and funding in the S.C General Assembly.

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 an emotionally disturbed child.

Our mission is improving the lives of people with mental illness in South Carolina, promoting mental health, preventing mental disorders and achieving victory over mental illness through advocacy, education, research and service.

MHASC and its affiliates provide education and awareness activities, advocacy, support groups, and housing. Psycho-social treatment services, mental health screenings, prevention activities and other support services to help mental health consumer in their recovery. Our work in South Carolina is accomplished largely through partnerships and collaborations with many organizations on a state and local level.

We are instrumental in several key collaborative efforts, including the Governor’s Suicide Task Force, SC Department of Mental Health Planning Council, The Substance/Alcohol Committee, the Aurora Foundation, SC Housing and Homeless Coalition, Children and Senior Task Forces, and the Housing and Homeless Coalition. In addition, we have partnered with the National institute of Mental Health (NIMH) as their SC Outreach Partner and the NMHA Campaign for America Site.