Sheriff's Office

Answer: The Charleston County Probate Court provides assistance for emergency evaluations and recuperative commitments for distressed mental health, or chemically dependent residents of Charleston County.

Answer: For safety purposes, Sheriff's Office policy requires its deputies to apply hand and leg restraints during these transports even though the subject may not be under arrest for a crime.

Answer: The Mobile Crisis Unit is the gateway to the Charleston County mental health Adult Services.

It is the crisis intervention unit that conducts the initial assessment for involuntary mental health commitment request applications. They will pursue the needed Probate Court Orders of Detention for evaluation and possible commitment, if the assessment concludes the need for involuntary treatment.

Answer: The Charleston Center is the gateway to the Charleston County's (voluntary) Chemical Dependency Services.

The petition/application for chemical dependency cases begins at the Charleston Center. Their information can be found below.

The first step is to call the Assessment Center Helpline. If voluntary, the caller will be screened to determine the need and an assessment will be scheduled at the caller's or patient's convenience. If involuntary, the caller will be scheduled for an assessment, during which, a petitioner's application for involuntary evaluation and possible commitment of another must be completed.

The Charleston Center will forward the petitioner's application and investigative findings to Probate Court for processing and further action. In cases where services are not appropriate to the caller's needs, referrals to outside sources will be made.

Answer: During such emergencies, the following steps should be taken.

Dial 911, explain the need/problem to the 911 operator, and summon the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction and EMS for assistance. If needed and certain criteria are met, law enforcement can request Mobile Crisis to respond to a scene in order to conduct a mental health assessment of the individual.

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Provide the 911 operator with as much detail information to include: name of subject, physical description including clothing currently worn, subject's location, history of known HIV, Hepatitis B or C, tuberculosis or other potentially contagious diseases, known violent history, behaviors, identities, known medication, prior treatments, case worker(s), treating physician(s), present location, etc. to further assist in the summons of other assistance that may become fruitful in the pursuit of a peaceful conclusion.

Answer: In Charleston County, an Order of Detention issued by the Probate Court (contact info below) is needed to pursue an evaluation and a possible commitment.

To attain an Order of Detention the following steps should be take: if your immediate relative is willing to pursue mental health assistance, you can transport him/her to the emergency room of a hospital of choice for evaluation, referral, or possible commitment for treatment. Refer to your local directory assistance for a hospital of your choice.

If he/she is willing to pursue chemical dependency assistance, you can transport him/her to the Charleston Center (contact info below) or call for an appointment.

Mobile Crisis (contact info below) can also be contacted to coordinate mental health assessment options.

If an involuntary chemical dependency commitment is being pursued, you may call the Charleston Center's Assessment Center Helpline (contact info below). The caller will be scheduled for an assessment, during which, a petitioner's application for a Probate Court Order of Detention for an evaluation must be completed. The Charleston Center will investigate and forward the petitioner's application and investigative findings to Probate Court for processing and further action.

If an involuntary mental health commitment is being pursued, you may contact the Charleston County Mobile Crisis Unit (contact info below) to attain a petitioner's application for an Order of Detention. The County's Mobile Crisis Unit will investigate the application's complaint, and dependent on the investigative results, pursue an Order of Detention through the County's Probate Court, for an evaluation that may result in a commitment for involuntary treatment.

Answer: In Charleston County, an Order of Detention is needed to pursue an evaluation, and a possible commitment. To attain an Order of Detention the following steps should be taken:

If the acquaintance is willing to pursue mental health assistance, you can transport them to the emergency room of a hospital of choice for evaluation, referral, or possible commitment for treatment. If they are willing to pursue chemical dependency assistance, you can transport them to the Charleston Center (contact info below) or call for an appointment.

For hospital information, please refer to your local directory assistance for a hospital of your choice.

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If an involuntary mental health commitment is being pursued, you may contact the Charleston County mobile Crisis Unit (contact info below) to attain an application for an Order of Detention. The County's mobile Crisis Unit will investigate the applicant's complaint, and dependent on the investigative results, pursue an Order of Detention through the County's Probate Court, for an evaluation that may result in a commitment for treatment through a local hospital physician.

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If an involuntary chemical dependency commitment is being pursued, you may call the Charleston Center's assessment Center helpline (listed below). The caller will be scheduled for an assessment, during which, a petitioner's application for a Probate Court Order of Detention for an evaluation must be completed. The Charleston Center will investigate, and forward the petitioner's application and investigative findings to Probate Court for processing and further action.

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Other Mental Health Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (contact info below), the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.

NAMI offers an array of support and education programs that help build better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

For more information contact NAMI during normal office hours.

NAMI | National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.NAMI.org)

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Other Community Resources Available

South Carolina 2-1-1

South Carolina 2-1-1 (contact info below) is your one-stop resource for finding assistance in your local community.

This site keeps a database of a wide variety of service providers including support groups, community clinics, counselors, shelters, food pantries, and programs for seniors and many more agencies in South Carolina.

This service is free and multilingual and can be called any time 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

www.SC211.org