Columbia, S.C.As the state commemorates the third anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a free, round-the-clock resource for people experiencing mental health emergencies, substance use issues, or suicide thoughts, South Carolina authorities are highlighting significant advancements in the state’s response to mental health crises.
South Carolina has only one in-state call center when the 988 hotline first went live nationwide in July 2022, and that center answered over 2,600 calls with a 75% answer rate that month. According to WSPA News, the state currently runs two crisis centers, and the most recent statistics indicates that a record 4,409 calls were addressed in June 2025, with response rates rising above 90%.
More In-State Help and Trained Crisis Responders
Jessica Barnes, coordinator of the Office of Mental Health Suicide Prevention Program at the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, stressed the value of South Carolinians supporting one another.
According to Barnes, it’s a kind of resource that helps people connect with long-term support providers.
Additionally, she mentioned that trained crisis responders are always on hand, prepared to listen and offer assistance to those in immediate need.
Local Knowledge is Key
According to Barnes, local response centers’ experience with state-specific resources is one of their main advantages.
More information about the particular resources in South Carolina is available to us. She clarified, “We can really help guide somebody to take another step.”
NAMI South Carolina’s Bill Lindsey concurred, stating,
It’s critical that people receive assistance where they require it. It makes all the difference when the call centers are aware of where that assistance is available.
Expanding Chat and Text Options
Barnes recognized that chat and text outreach still has space to expand, despite improvements in phone call capacity. According to her, the department is aggressively seeking to hire additional employees who have received specialized training in various forms of communication.
“We’re really looking to expand our outreach in those areas,” she said, adding that you may text or talk with 988.
According to Stephen Tuttle ofThriveworks, adding more qualified experts to the call center would assist guarantee that those experiencing a crisis receive the support and care they need.
Confidential and Open to All Ages
Any adult or child in need of support can use the 988 service, and callers can stay anonymous and private.
For additional information or assistance, people can go to 988sc.org, the state’s official 988 webpage.
Have you or a loved one called South Carolina’s 988 helpline? What more could the state do, in your opinion, to enhance crisis care for mental health? Send us a comment atSaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
