COLUMBIA, S.C. — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. However, due to a number of factors, including social stigma, mental health is often put on the back burner.
Healthcare professionals say mental health is important at every stage of life as it helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
News19's Whitney Sullivan shared her journey of having to prioritize her mental and physical health and encouraged everyone to do the same.
Thankfully, there are a number of organizations and resources available to those who need help. Here is a partial list of services available:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 if you or someone you know needs help or is struggling.
- Disaster Distress Helpline: People overwhelmed by naturally occurring (floods, hurricanes, fire, drought, earthquakes, or tornadoes) or human-caused (mass shootings, chemical spills, or terrorist attacks, for example) disasters can call or text 1-800-985-5990.
- Prisma Health Baptist Columbia Behavioral Care Services: 803-296-3000
- University of South Carolina Psychology Services Center: 803-777-7302
- LRADAC Outpatient and Withdrawal Management: Call 803-726-9300 for help with substance abuse, detoxification, and serious mental health issues for adults and children.
- Crossroads Treatment Centers Columbia: For substance abuse and detox, call 803-733-5855.
- Three Rivers Residential Treatment Services: Call 803-791-9918 for mental health treatment for adults and children.
- Lexington County CMHC Adult Clinic/Emergency Services: Call 803-359-3545 for mental health treatment.
- SC Department of Mental Health: Through a statewide network of community mental health centers, clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes the Department’s clinical staff provide a complete array of medical and support services for children, adults, and families throughout South Carolina. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact DMH's Mobile Crisis Team, statewide, toll-free, 24/7 at 833-364-2274.
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Resources: VA has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options and more — all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters and the general public. You can call 877-222-8387 to find the right resources for your needs. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-877-8339.
- SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
You can also find treatment facilities near you by using the findtreatment.gov/locator.