Advocates are calling for child and adolescent-specific inpatient mental health facilities. A state Department of Juvenile Justice cared for a teen who attempted suicide, prompting the need for action.
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Advocating for Early Intervention: NAMI Director Urges More Psychiatric Facilities for Youth Mental Health
Columbia has public and private Psychiatric Residential Treatment (PRTF) facilities for mental health patients under 21. However, NAMI executive director Bill Lindsey believes the community needs more facilities.
Lindsey emphasizes a national youth mental health issue. Some youngsters with mental health disorders end up in juvenile justice due to behavioral or law enforcement issues.
Lindsey suggests psychiatric assessment before placing these youngsters in DJJ. A youngster in mental distress should be placed in the Department of Mental Health’s custody rather than a juvenile prison center. DJJ should be the last resort, according to Lindsey, because earlier intervention is essential to therapy and recovery.
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South Carolina Allocates $20 Million for New DJJ Facility Addressing Youth Mental Health Needs
The Williams S. Hall Institute at Bryan Psychiatric Hospital provides inpatient mental health care for children and adolescents from South Carolina’s Department of Mental Health. Teens and children with physical limitations can use the facilities, but not medical patients.
To meet the expanding need, the South Carolina State Legislature budgeted $20 million in the 2022 state budget to build a new DJJ facility for kids with severe mental health issues. The construction timetable for this facility is unknown.
Mental health advocates focus on improving infrastructure to meet children and teens’ mental health needs for a more complete and proactive system.
