May is Mental Health Month

May is Mental Health Month in the United States, and the South Carolina Department of Behavioral
Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) seeks to remind South Carolinians of its available services and the
importance of maintaining good mental health and early intervention.

The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that more than one in five adults and
one in seven youth ages 6-17 experience mental illness each year. Each May, BHDD, mental health advocacy groups,
churches, schools, and civic organizations strive to raise awareness about the importance of recognizing signs and
symptoms of mental health disorders, direct those in need and their families to appropriate care, expand the
conversation around maintaining good mental health, and fight the stigma that too often prevents people in need
from seeking help. Governor Henry McMaster has issued a proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Month.
For information about BHDD mental health resources, including local treatment, crisis resources, free, online
screening tools, and more, visit www.bhdd.sc.gov. To find BHDD Mental Health Month events in your area, visit the
BHDD Office of Mental Health’s facebook page.

BHDD aims to create a cohesive, statewide system focused on improving behavioral health, substance use and
disability care, especially for the state’s most complex patients. The agency operates state hospitals and community
mental health centers, and partners with county-run, privately-operated facilities and contracted providers to deliver
a comprehensive array of services throughout South Carolina. The agency provides outpatient mental health care
through a network of 16 community mental health centers and associated clinics serving all 46 counties and inpatient
psychiatric treatment in three state hospitals.