McMaster announces progress in SC school mental health

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Significant progress has been made according to Governor McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) when they announced the number of school-based mental health counselors available in South Carolina.

Officials say survey results from Sep. 2023 of South Carolina school districts show the amount of mental health counselors doubled to 1,209 at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

“In just the past two years, we have made significant progress in providing school-based mental health services to school-aged children,” said Governor McMaster. “With an ongoing mental health crisis, especially among our young people, it is critical that we continue to build upon these efforts and ensure mental health resources are available and accessible to our state’s children.”

According to SCHHS, the progress occurred less than two years after Gov. McMaster directed SCHHS to review the state’s public mental health services program in his 2022 State of the State Address and through Executive Order 2022-02. Upon review, the SCHHS said they found the 2022 counselor-to-student ratio at 1:1,300. The Sep. 2023 survey shows an increase to approximately 1:653.

“This tremendous progress in improving access to vital services for our state’s children was achieved by adopting a collaborative approach between state agencies, local school districts and the private sector,” said SCDHHS Director Kerr.