DAY OF CARING VOLUNTEERS INVADE CHARLESTON DORCHESTER MHC!
By Sherri Dangerfield, Charleston/Dorchester MHC
Ten years after Sept. 11, 2001, many people geared up for another amazing day of service to our community.
Trident United Way’s 2011 Day of Caring was Friday, Sept. 9. On that date, 7,500 people descended on 400 projects throughout the Charleston community to help others and reflect on the values that were attacked that fateful day. While we mourn those who were lost and celebrate those who inspired us through their heroism, the Charleston/Dorchester community recommitted itself to helping those in need where possible–right here in our own community.
In the 10 years since Sept. 11, 2001, 50,000 people have participated in Trident United Way’s Day of Caring, which has brought $10 million worth of labor and supplies to area non-profits.
The Charleston/Dorchester Community Mental Health Center welcomed 50 volunteers from the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command to its grounds. Dressed in Day of Caring red shirts, these young men and women washed and cleaned 27 state vehicles, including the Highway to Hope RV, which is dedicated to serving those with mental illness in distant, rural communities who cannot, for a variety a reasons, get to the community clinic. One client who witnessed the volunteering reported, “We are being invaded by red tee shirts!”
Another day of dedication and selflessness has passed, but the spirit of humanitarian hope continues on in memory of those who sacrificed all.
Keeping West Ashley Safe
Friday, October 21, 2011
SWAT team conducts training exercise at mental health facility
By Warren Cobb
Managing Editor of {West Of}
West Ashley’s Newspaper
If you saw SWAT personnel leading people out of the Charleston/Dorchester Mental Health Center last week, don’t fear. While the events at the Charlie Hall Boulevard facility had all the trappings of a tense hostage situation, it was, thankfully, just an exercise.
On Friday, Oct. 21, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office conducted an all-day training exercise at the mental health facility, which included SWAT and hostage negotiation activities. The facility was closed to clients that day, and its personnel participated in the training.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiations Team each conduct monthly trainings, and have semi-annual training exercises with the Charleston/Dorchester Mental Health Center (CDMHC). During the exercise, several scenarios were presented and the units work together to test capabilities and strengthen Sheriff’s Office and the center employees’ ability to work together toward a successful resolution of a particular crisis.
While the exercise had an air of interested excitement for onlookers, they also represented a sobering possibility for the West Ashley community. While it’s unlikely the mental health clients of the two-county area will escalate to violence, the motto of the facility, as well as the Sheriff’s Office, is “Be Prepared.”
“We have a 32,000-square-foot facility,” said Debbie Blalock, executive director of the CDMHC. “I want our staff to be prepared for any scenario. I don’t want to learn about problems in the moment. The main thing for us is safety.”
The CDMHC serves about 8,500 clients per year, with about 4,800 open cases on any given day. The facility also has 230 employees on site daily. (about half of what they had just five years ago before the state cut their budget.)
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has had this working relationship with CDMHC personnel for more than 15 years. They say it’s of keen import to have a working relationship and a well-formed plan before a crisis arises, instead of trying to develop one on scene.
“We have worked with (CDMHC) and their Mobile Crisis Team for 20 years,” said Charleston Sheriff Al Cannon, who said the center is also contracted to provide mental health service to the county jail. “Given our experience, we felt this is a valid and potential scenario.
Cannon said they have to have such a relationship because the Sheriff’s Office is solely responsible for Emergency Protective Custody cases throughout the county, including municipal jurisdictions.
“We have a special unit ready to deal with mental health, substance abuse, and often, a combination of the two,” Cannon said. “Because of that, it throws us into the mental health community unlike what other agencies have.”
Special Needs Fair
October 1, 2011
10am-2pm
Marrington Plantation, Naval Weapons Station
The Exceptional Family Member Program of Joint Base Charleston hosted their annual Special Needs Fair for military families who have children with special needs. It was a day of fun, games, food, and community resources for families.
Charleston Dorchester Mental Health was one of several community organizations who helped provide support for the many families of the military. Several families were new to the area and were looking for a variety of support services for their children.
It was a great event and we were proud to be able to support those families who protect our country!
Suicide Awareness Event
September 10, 2011
9am-2pm
Marion Square Park
Charleston, SC
On Saturday, September 10th, 2011 the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health center joined forces with fifteen Charleston and Dorchester County organizations to share resources, offer support, and improve our communities awareness and understanding of suicide.
Suicide remains a growing problem that impacts the lives of people across the United States. It is one of the leading causes of death nationally (11th overall), it is the third leading cause of death for ages 15-24, and second among college-age youth. Our overarching goal for this event was to reduce the stigma of suicide and mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety) so our community can be better prepared to identify risk factors and understand treatment options that will go a long way to ensure the safety of those who are at risk.
Early identification and intervention can prevent suicides in both adults and children, and we are fortunate to have a wide array of incredible resources in Charleston and Dorchester County.
September 10th was Suicide Awareness Day across the country, and the event was met with much success, having grown the number of organizations from eight in 2010 to fifteen in 2011! We had a diverse group of organizations from the United Way’s 211 hotline to the Medical University of South Carolina to several private practice clinicians, all dedicated to helping support our community around an issue that is too often ignored.
The event, on Marion Square in downtown Charleston, was a big success as we were greeted by people throughout the day who came to ask questions and find support.
We want to thank everyone who participated and visited us, and we will see you again next year!
Participating Organizations
- Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center
- The Charleston Veteran’s Administration Medical Center
- MUSC Institute of Psychiatry
- Palmetto Behavioral Health
- 211 Trident United Way
- The Charleston Center
- Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy
- College of Charleston Counseling Center
- Crittenton Programs of South Carolina
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy of Charleston
- MUSC College of Nursing
- Oasis Christian Counseling
- Seasons Therapy
- Trident Technical College
- NAMI-SC
