South Carolina - Mobile Crisis Care Options
988 - Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Procedures for Commitment of the Mentally Ill or Chemically Dependent Person
Emergency Commitments- If you have a family member or friend who needs immediate treatment for a mental illness or chemical dependency during the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, please go to the nearest Mental Health Clinic (listed below) and speak to a mental health professional about the Emergency Commitment Process: Beckman Mental Health Clinic (Newberry) 2043 Medical Park Dr., Newberry, SC 29108. Telephone number, (803) 276-8000.
Based on the information provided to the Mental Health Professional, the Order of Detention request may or may not be forwarded to the Probate Court for approval. If approved, the Probate Court will issue an Order of Detention, and law enforcement will be dispatched to locate and detain the individual.
Next, the individual will be transported to Self-Regional Hospital for examination by a licensed physician. If the physician believes the individual meets the requirements for an emergency commitment, the individual will be admitted to an appropriate treatment facility.
The Court will schedule a hearing within 15 days of the individual's admission to the hospital.
After Hours: Please call the Mobile Crisis Unit at 1-833-364-2274 and speak to a mental health professional.
Requirements for a Detention Order:
- The individual must pose an immediate threat to self or others.
- If threats were made, they must have been witnessed by the Petitioner within 24 hours of the Detention Order request.
- The individual must have a plan and the ability to carry out the threats to self or others.
- The Petitioner must know an address where the individual is currently located. (This will assist law enforcement in locating and detaining the individual.)
- The individual has refused to seek help or evaluation during this crisis.
Mobile Crisis Unit - 1-833-364-2274 This phone number is available on evenings, weekends, and holidays for emergencies concerning involuntary commitment of a mentally ill or chemically dependent person. A person will talk with you and advise you of the procedures in order to get help for the individual in need of assistance.
The Suicide Prevention Lifeline - If you do not have an emergency concerning involuntary commitment but are in crisis and would like to speak to someone, please contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a nationwide 24-hour service available at 988, you can cal I or text this number and you will be connected to trained counselors who will listen, understand how your problems are affecting you, provide support, and connect you to resources if needed.
Non-Emergency Commitments - Judicial Orders
Petition for Judicial Admission- If you have a family member or friend that you believe requires non emergency treatment for a mental illness or chemical dependency, please go to the nearest Mental Health Clinic (listed below) and speak to a mental health professional about the Non-Emergency Commitment Process: Beckman Mental Health Clinic (Newberry) 2043 Medical Park Dr., Newberry, SC 29108. Telephone number: (803) 276-8000.
The Clinic will send the Judicial Petition to the Probate Court to schedule an examination for the person with the alleged mental illness or chemical dependency. The Petitioner will receive notice from the Court of the place, date, and time of the scheduled examination, and, as the Petitioner, you are required to attend the examination to offer information that will be considered by the examiners. The individual will also receive notice of the examination by mail.
After the examination, if the individual is found to be a mentally ill or chemically dependent person in need of treatment, a hearing will be held by a Probate Judge. Notice of the hearing will be provided to both the Petitioner and the mentally ill/chemically dependent person.
Note: Non-Emergency Examinations are scheduled in the order in which the Petitions are received by the Court. Please allow adequate time for the Petition to be processed before contacting the Court.
Once a Petition has been filed with the Court, it is unable to be withdrawn or canceled.
If you have any questions about these instructions, please contact Associate Judge Vickie Beard-Hall at v.hall@saludacounty.sc.gov or 864-445-4500 Ext. 2220
Authorization and Release of Information for Mental Health Records
All Mental Health files are confidential. In order to obtain copies of any of these records, you will need to complete an Authorization to Request/Release Information forms. These forms must be completed by the person who was the subject of the court action or from his /her legal guardian.
State and federal confidentiality laws govern these records so it is necessary to use a very specific authorization and release form to secure any documents from these files. These forms are located at the Saluda County Probate Court.
Once the Authorization to Request/Release Information forms have been completed, you will need to submit them to the Probate Court's Involuntary Commitment Division. You will be charged for copies at the per-page rate in effect at the time of the request. Individuals requesting copies of their own records will not be charged for copies.
If you have any questions regarding the Authorization to Request/Release Information, please feel free to call the Involuntary Commitment Division of Saluda County Probate Court.