Orangeburg County's New Plan for Better Mental Health

Imagine walking into an emergency room and finding it overcrowded, not because of physical injuries, but due to mental health crises. That's been a common sight in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. But there's hope on the horizon. Governor McMaster has proposed a budget that includes $2 million for a new crisis stabilization facility in the county. This facility, with 10 beds, aims to tackle the growing problem of mental health issues.

Bryant Williams, the head of the Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center, stresses the seriousness of mental illness. He believes that people should understand that it's okay to have a mental illness and that help is available. The new facility will help reduce the burden on local emergency rooms and detention centers, allowing patients to stay in their community and get the care they need. State Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter supports this initiative. She recalls an incident years ago where an emergency room nurse was nearly killed, highlighting the need for a safe space for people in mental health crises. The proposed facility will be a lifeline for people struggling with mental health issues in Orangeburg, Bamberg, and Calhoun counties.

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