FLORENCE, SC (WOLO) — Many healthcare leaders agree that mental health issues have increased in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
But how do we address the problem here in South Carolina?
“It has really skyrocketed since COVID. In the past, we had some capacity here but not nearly enough today,” said Donna Isgett, McLeod Health president. “That’s why I celebrate the work coming together to increase that capacity. It’s a big deal.”
A 100 million dollar deal in fact. Funded by the General Assembly, the Jean and Hugh K. Leatherman Behavioral Health Pavilion under construction in Florence aims to increase mental health services in South Carolina.
“It brings together outpatient care, crisis intervention and the most critically ill care,” Isgett said. “This won’t just be the piece that McLeod is offering but the entire continuum.”
McLeod Health is just one partner behind the behavioral health facility, which includes MUSC Health, state agencies, Francis Marion University and more.
“There’s a lot of us coming together to put in cutting-edge resources. There will be outpatient visits with doctors and nurses to a specialized emergency room for patients with acute problems. If you need to stay at a hospital, there will be beds as well,” said Dr. Patrick Cawley, MUSC Health CEO.
The facility is set for completion in October of next year. Wednesday afternoon, Governor Henry McMaster and state healthcare leaders signed a construction beam that is now part of the new building.
“This is good news. Behavioral health is part of all our health,” the governor said. “A lot of people need help quickly. They don’t need to be given a ticket and told to come back later.”
Florence mayor Teresa Myers Ervin hopes that the new behavioral health center can be a example for other parts of the Palmetto State.
“We are one of the first models in the state,” Ervin said. “This will affect the rest of the state.”
“This shows the determination of our people to take care of our people so that we can all succeed,” McMaster said.
The governor has been outspoken about the need for more mental health services in the state.