Behavioral Health
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, call or text 988, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also contact the SC Mobile Community Crisis Response & Intervention Line at 833-364-2274, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration 24/7 line at 800-662-HELP (4537), or utilize the SC Crisis Textline by texting HOPE4SC to 7417.
Behavioral health is one of South Carolina’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Hospitals across the state serve on the front lines of mental health and substance use crises, often providing care when no other services are immediately available. SCHA is committed to working with hospitals, healthcare partners, policymakers, and community organizations to strengthen the behavioral health continuum of care and improve outcomes for patients and families.
Through advocacy, innovation, education, and collaboration, SCHA supports solutions that expand access to behavioral health services, reduce emergency department boarding, strengthen workforce capacity, and connect patients with the right level of care at the right time.
If you’re interested in learning more about any of these resources, please contact us at behavioralhealth@scha.org.
Emergency Psychiatry Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH)
EmPATH units are not considered crisis stabilization units but, instead, they serve as an extension of the hospital ED where patients are first medically stable then discharged from the ED and admitted to EmPATH for treatment.
Alternative Transportation
The program provides safe, secure, and restraint-free transport in an unmarked vehicle, avoiding the stigma and trauma of being placed in the back of a police vehicle in handcuffs, while assisting overburdened law enforcement agencies, by reducing the number of calls to provide often time-consuming patient transports.
Substance Use Disorder Services
Resources and tools that provide information on substance use disorder treatment and recovery services, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), opioid response initiatives, recovery resources, and provider support tools.
SCHA Behavioral Health Partners
SCHA works closely with behavioral health partners across our state including state agencies, crisis services, community providers, and advocacy organizations to expand access to behavioral health services, reduce emergency department boarding, strengthen workforce capacity, and connect patients with the right level of care at the right time.
Youth Mental Health Resources
To help families, educators, and community leaders connect young people with support, the South Carolina Hospital Association has compiled a collection of trusted youth mental health resources.
Postpartum Behavioral Health
South Carolina hospital systems are working to improve those numbers and are offering highly specialized perinatal and postpartum behavioral health programs designed for individuals experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, and related mood disorders.
Pathways to Hospital Commitment
South Carolina law envisions three distinct pathways to evaluation and hospitalization for individuals who may be mentally ill.
Expanding the Behavioral Health Workforce
A strong behavioral health workforce is essential to meeting South Carolina’s growing needs. SCHA supports workforce development initiatives that help hospitals recruit, train, and retain behavioral health professionals and support staff.