Mental Health America of South Carolina (MCHASC) is taking great measures to support rural communities in the state, and everything is thanks to an association with Mental Health America National and West Fraser, a worldwide wooden company. Through this association, Mhasc received funds to extend its mental health services to the rural areas of South Carolina, and reach smaller cities that otherwise do not have access to mental health resources.
The team began by sending letters and resource packages to local religious leaders. Since September it was the month of suicide prevention, the materials included useful bulletin ads, resources in English and Spanish, and information about their mental health sessions 101, offered both in person and online. Free mental health projections also highlighted through the Health America mental website.
A special program that Mhasc introduced Faith Communities is «IC HOPE/Don’t Duck Health Mental». It has a duck pet and is designed to teach children and adults that mental illness is real and treatable. The Materials Are Engaging, With A Curriculum for Teachers and Adults, and Even Fun Items Like Coloring Pages, Stickers, and Craft Supplies for a Paper Sack Puppet. This initiative causes mental health learning to be interactive and accessible to all ages.
Mhasc also worked with MHA National to obtain a unique QR code for MHA National Prevention and Evaluation Program So that they can learn more about how people in South Carolina use mental health projections. In the coming months, Mhasc will continue to expand its efforts in rural communities, thanks to West Fraser Grant. This includes offering more training in Mental Health First Aid, Hosting Suicide Awareness Program, and Setting Up Booths at Events to Sp pread the Word About Mental Health Resources.
Mhasc has also been occupied with other projects. In the past year, The Organization Gave The Website a Makeover and Organized Two Major Conferences – Focusing on Suicide Prevention and Another for Peer Supporters. Both were funded by a subsidy of the South Carolina Mental Health Department, and they are already planning conferences by 2025.
In addition to rural reach, Mhasc has also maintained a presence in Soda City Market, a weekly market in downtown Columbia. There, Staffers Set Up A Table With Mental Health America Materials, Along With Resources From Other Organizations Like The Local Chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Alliance On Mental Illness To Reach Even More People.
Finally, Mhasc celebrated its 70th anniversary with a 70’s theme party! LEAVE THE RAIN BOUGHT by Hurricane Helene, Which Later Hit Parts of South Carolina and Continued to Affect North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, They Still Marked This Important Milestone. Their hearts are with all those impacted by the storm.
