Beckman Center for Mental Health Services

Check this out!👇 Register and save the date!📅

Following a long hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the NAMI South Carolina Annual State Mental Health Conference is scheduled this year on September 5 at the Richland 2 Institute of Innovation (R2i2), 763 Fashion Dr, Columbia, SC.

The schedule from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM will include multiple plenary sessions with speakers Ken Duckworth and April Simpkins and breakout sessions in the morning and the afternoon.
Cost is 25.00 and includes lunch.
We are very excited to offer a law enforcement track this year. All certified LEOs will receive 9 credit hours from SCCJA.

About our plenary speakers:

'Powerful and poignant, this book is for anyone who has struggled with mental health challenges' Lori Gottlieb
' An invaluable book' Andrew Solomon
'A unique, hopeful, essential guide. You Are Not Alone is a treasure' Bruce D. Perry

This singular book is a powerful reminder that help is here, and you are never alone.

Millions of people across the world are affected by mental illness every year. Yet the mental healthcare industry remains chaotic, underfunded and often inaccessible, with many people asking themselves the same questions- What does it mean when different doctors give me different diagnoses? Will I be on medication my whole life? Will I ever feel better?

You Are Not Alone is here to offer help and compassion. Written by Dr Ken Duckworth, whose own entry into psychiatry was inspired by his father's lifelong battle with bipolar disorder, this comprehensive guide pairs medical expertise with the empathy of someone who gets it.

Dr Ken Duckworth is the Chief Medical Officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and has been the medical director since 2003. He is also Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and has received numerous awards for his work to advance our knowledge and treatment of mental illness.

By the Time You Read This: The Space between Cheslie's Smile and Mental Illness—Her Story in Her Own Words
April Simpkins, Cheslie Kryst
By the Time You Read This is the story former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst was about to publish before her tragic su***de. Her mother, April, wraps up the narrative by exploring the mental illness and depression that took her daughter’s life.

The text read, “By the time you get this . . .” This is the story of Cheslie Kryst, a former Miss USA, in her own words.

When the world awoke on the morning of January 30, 2022, many were shocked to learn of the tragic death of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst.

For most people, the news was unfathomable. How could a young woman in the prime of her life—a pageant queen, accomplished attorney, Extra correspondent, and tireless advocate for charity organizations—have been lost to the world so suddenly?

By the Time You Read This shares the manuscript Cheslie wrote before her passing, her story in her own words—from the highest highs of passing two bar exams, winning Miss USA, and beginning an exciting career as an entertainment journalist to the lowest lows of heartbreak, betrayal, and persistent depression.

When Cheslie’s mother, April Simpkins, picks up the narrative, she shares for the first time what she experienced in the aftermath of Cheslie’s su***de. When faced with such a devastating loss, how does a mother find a way to carry on?

Whether you are someone who struggles to maintain your mental health, or you love someone who does, this book will share insight into a reality that impacts thousands of families every year—as well as provide hope for those who are left behind.

Net proceeds from the book will be used to support the Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation, which is being founded in Cheslie’s honor.

April Simpkins is a mental health advocate, serving as an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and a board member for NAMI Piedmont Tri-County, where she serves her local community. She has earned a Mental Health First Aid Certification and is also trained in Emotional CPR. As a C-suite executive, April is an in-demand public speaker who has addressed audiences internationally on the topics of leadership, culture, DEI, and mental health in the workplace. She has received numerous awards for her business acumen and community service.

April is the wife of David, the mother of six incredible children, and the grandmother of one beautiful granddaughter.
Her daughter, Cheslie Kryst was a complex civil litigation attorney licensed to practice law in both North and South Carolina. Passionate about criminal justice reform, she worked pro bono for clients serving excessive time for low-level drug offenses. Cheslie was crowned Miss USA in May 2019 and represented the United States at the 2019 Miss Universe Competition, placing in the top ten of ninety countries.

In October 2019, Cheslie was named a correspondent for the nationally broadcast entertainment news show Extra, where she regularly interviewed the world’s biggest names, celebrities, and influencers.

Register at www.namisc.org/conference

Lighthouse For Life American Foundation for Su***de Prevention - South Carolina Chapter Mental Health America of Greenville County South Carolina Department of Mental Health Brain Injury Association of South Carolina Mental Health America of South Carolina Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. (MIRCI) Lexington County Sheriff's Department Town of Lexington, SC Richland County Sheriff's Department Beaufort Police Department, Beaufort, SC Isle of Palms Police Department City of Rock Hill, SC City of Cayce Police Department Columbia VA Health Care System Columbia Police Department, SC City Beaufort SC Beaufort Memorial Hospital Town of Irmo Disability Rights South Carolina North Charleston Police Department SC Police Chiefs Association Camden Police Department, SC Greenville County Sheriff's Office Sumter County Sheriff's Office (Sumter, SC) Dorchester County Sheriff's Office Summerville Police Department South Carolina Law Enforcement Division - SLED South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services South Carolina Department of Public Safety South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

In accordance with legislation signed by Governor McMaster in 2023, effective today, operation of South Carolina's contracted state veterans nursing homes has transferred from SCDMH to the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs. This includes:

🇺🇸 Veterans' Victory House (Walterboro)
🇺🇸 Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home (Anderson)
🇺🇸 Veteran Village (Florence)
🇺🇸 Palmetto Patriots Home (Gaffney)

Effective July 1, 2025, SCDVA will assume responsibility for the state's non-contracted veterans home: Stone Veteran Pavilion (Columbia).

Learn more about the transfer to the SCDVA here: https://scdva.sc.gov/news/scdva-final-preparations-transfer-responsibility-state-veteran-homes-dept-mental-health.

Learn more about South Carolina's network of veterans nursing homes here: https://scdva.sc.gov/state-veterans-nursing-homes.

State Veterans Nursing Homes There are five state-run Veteran nursing home facilities in South Carolina.

Our SC Department of Mental Health-Office of Su***de Prevention team traveled to Washington, DC, last week for SAMHSA Zero Su***de/National Strategy or Su***de Prevention Meeting. Where they presented on how to share and report su***de data safely and responsibly!

Hear from Homeshare provider, Elizabeth Wilson, as she talks about her experiences with our program.

Homeshare Provider Spotlight: Elizabeth Wilson Homeshare, launched by SCDMH in 1992, is a program where patients are placed in households in the community.. Provider Elizabeth Wilson talks about the Progr...

SCDMH’s Director of Governmental Affairs Robin Crawford, Coastal Empire Community Mental Health Center Director Angie Salley, and Berkeley Community Mental Health Center Director Matthew Dorman traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to represent our state in the 2024 National Council on Mental Wellbeing!

While there, they also met with members of South Carolina’s delegation to raise awareness about the Agency and Council’s important programs and initiatives.

Want to know more about Homeshare? 🏡 Interested in becoming a Homeshare provider?

Check out this short video spotlight on Homeshare provider, Emily Thornton, who talks about the program and what it means to her.

Homeshare Provider Spotlight: Emily Thornton Homeshare, launched by SCDMH in 1992, is a program where patients are placed in households in the community. In this segment, provider Emily Thornton talks a...

Learn more about our Homeshare program and what it takes to be a provider in our new video! Hear directly from Homeshare provider, Renelle Dickerson, as she recounts her experience.

Homeshare Provider Spotlight: Renelle Dickerson Homeshare, launched by SCDMH in 1992, is a program where patients are placed in households in the community. Learn more about this program from provider Rene...

You got this!

If you need us, reach out to our SC Mobile Crisis 24/7 at 833-364-2274.

‼️ JOB ALERT ‼️

Are you a seasoned professional with a passion for managing projects from concept to completion? SCDMH is looking for a talented Project Manager to join the team and lead it projects to success.

This position is located at our Physical Plant Services Division, 7901 Farrow Road, Columbia, 29203.

In addition to other duties, the Project Manager will work closely with other senior staff and construction project managers to ensure construction and building renovations meet Agency requirements, coordinate all aspects of the community mental health center maintenance within SCDMH facilities statewide, define the scope of work for projects (developing estimates, procuring funding, and coordinating work by either inside forces or outside commercial contractors), and coordinate with the Office of State Engineer and third-party inspectors to ensure all applicable safety, regulatory, and CARF requirements are properly documented.

To learn more about this position and apply, visit the following link!
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sc/jobs/4474844/project-manager-i-doas-pps?keywords=project%20manager&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Try and share these great tips!

What ways do you care for your inner well-being? Share with others and spread the word for !

For and every month, it is important to remember to take breaks each day whether it is a 5 minute break for a snack or a 10 minute breathing exercise. is a priority!

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call our TOLL-FREE 24/7 SC Mobile Crisis Line at 1-833-364-2274.

Share these ideas for practicing self-care!

Find your local mental health center at https://scdmh.net.

It was a great turnout and a successful day at our "Meet SCDMH" event in Columbia, SC on May 15, 2024. Check out the photo album from the day's festivities.

We enjoyed meeting everyone while sharing information and resources about our many programs! Thank you to all who participated and showed up in support!

Mindfulness is important. Today, check in on yourself and take the time to check in on others. If you or someone you know needs us, we are here for you!

👟We will be there with our friends, NAMI Mid-Carolina, and hope you will too! 👟Stop by our table of resources and look for our team as we spread awareness and walk in support of mental health! 💚

3 DAYS TO GO!

You know what the best part of is? You! 🫵🏼

👟👟 namiwalks.org/midcarolina

Help us spread mental health awareness for Mental Health Month! Like and share this post! 💚👇 Follow us for more tips all month long!

Thank you to Lee Williams from ABC Columbia for coming to our Open House yesterday and helping us spread the word about our programs and services!
https://www.abccolumbia.com/2024/05/15/highway-to-hope-rvs-bring-mental-health-services-closer-to-home/

"Highway To Hope" RVs bring mental health services closer to home - ABC Columbia "We provide counseling services, which can be individual therapy services, we can do crisis intervention services if there's a need for that. We can do psychiatric medical assessments for anybody that needs to see our psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. We also can provide nursing servic...

Self-care is an important part of your mental wellbeing.

💚May is mental health month!💚 Like and Share! 👇

Beckman is going GREEN for Mental Health Month!💚💚

The goal of Homeshare is to support recovery!

Recovery is universal. Everyone goes through some form of recovery in a personal and unique way. Recovery involves a sense of hope, support, self-help, self-determination, and meaningful activities to prosper. People living with mental illness have the same dreams as we do to live independently, spend time with family and friends, and have purpose. Homeshare Providers support the recovery of people living with mental illness.

Click this link to view the handbook and learn more: https://scdmh.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Homeshare-Provider-Handbook-09.14.2021.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3dSXDF3ByduGJijhkYbhID3AzmuNQIqviGPaTCESNbanip34VCcTsSGaI

Learn more about our Homeshare program!🏠💚🏡
Homeshare:
• supports and moves individuals living with mental illness into the community.
• providers welcome one individual into their home.
• providers help the individual learn how to live in the community.
• providers receive training and support from the local community mental health center staff.
• providers receive a stipend for providing care to the individual along with 14 days of respite.

Want to learn more about our Homeshare Initial Program Requirements? Look no further! 🏡

Provider:
• completes application, training, and background checks.
• home must meet program guidelines for health and safety along with a separate room for individual with bed, night stand, lighting, etc.
• positive, caring personality with extra room in their home and heart to share with individual.

Community Mental Health Center Staff:
• assist with application process.
• conducts the home study, training, and background check process.

We're participating in the Greenwood American Foundation for Su***de Prevention Walk Sunday, October 15 at the Greenwood Civic Center.

All are welcome to join our team as we walk raise awareness and funds to fight su***de in South Carolina - click here if you'd like to walk with us! https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.team&teamID=324336

To learn more about the event, start your own team, walk as an individual, or make a donation, click here: https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.event&eventID=9430

Please support the Greenwood SC Area Walk this fall to help #stopsu***de Please support the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by su***de. Donate or register to walk!

Our theme for spreading awareness this Su***de Prevention Month is .

What positive messages can you share about how you let your hope shine? Is it something you look forward to each day or a way you spread kindness to others? Whatever you may be feeling, . Together, we can make a difference.

***dePreventionMonth

If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call our TOLL-FREE, 24/7 SC Mobile Crisis at (833) 364-2274, our SCDMH Deaf Services Hotline at (803) 339-3339, or take our anonymous, interactive, online mental health screener at https://hope.connectsyou.org/ to be connected to services.

Due to potentially hazardous weather, SCDMH centers and clinics in counties under a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning MAY close early or be closed entirely Wednesday, August 30 and Thursday, August 31.

✔️If you have an appointment that will be affected, staff will contact you.
☎️If you have a mental health emergency during this time, Mobile Crisis will remain operational - call (833) 364-2274.
❓If you are unsure whether your center or clinic is open, please CALL your local center or clinic before getting out on the roads.
⚠️Please follow the updates and guidance from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division and stay safe!

📢 The public comment period for the Mental Health Block Grant Application begins today, August 15, 2023, and ends August 29, 2023

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health’s (SCDMH) federal fiscal year 2024-2025 Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Application is now available for review and public comment at the Department’s web site: www.scdmh.net.

Please note that this application serves as the Agency’s Community Mental Health Services Block Grant State Plan, required by Public Law 102-321, for providing comprehensive community mental health services to adults with a serious mental illness and to children with a serious emotional disturbance.

The report is available for review at this link:https://scdmh.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2024-Block-Grant-Application-DRAFT-FOR-REVIEW-8-25-23-REVISION.pdf

Please send questions and comments to
Mahri Irvine, PhD, SCDMH Grant Writer:

☎️ Phone: (803) 898-8184
📨 E-mail: [email protected]
📪 Postal Mail: PO Box 485, Columbia, SC, 29202, Attn: Mahri Irvine

Comments on the application should be submitted by noon, Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

Did you know our Center has a Homeshare program? Learn more about it and what it takes to be a provider in our new video!

Homeshare: Open Hearts, Open Doors Homeshare, launched by SCDMH in 1992, is a program where patients are placed in households in the community.Participating patients live as a member of the ho...

Join us in Abbeville for a Community Drop-In TODAY, May 19, from 1-3pm!

For more information, contact us at 864-459-9671.

🌊May 20 from 10am-1pm: Lakelands Wave Fest at the Uptown Market, 220 Maxwell Avenue, Greenwood SC.

There will be live music, food vendors, health screenings, a kid zone, and more FREE services!

🌊To , RSVP to https://bit.ly/LakelandsWF2023

For more info, contact Cindy Zellers at [email protected] | 866.779.0402
www.fedfamsc.org/event/LakelandsWaveFest/

We hope to see you there for this celebration! 🎉🎉
Thank you, Federation of Families of SC, for this great event!

📣Our staff are taking the RV on the road May 12 to community partners to demonstrate its uses. Be on the lookout 👀 for our new outfitting as we spread mental health awareness for !

If you spot the RV, please stop by to learn more about our services!