S.C. Editorial Roundup, Oct. 25, 2023

Post and Courier

Oct. 15

More school mental health counselors a good start. This should be next.

One of the most serious challenges in our public schools was manifesting itself even before the pandemic, as students across South Carolina experienced increasing anxiety and other mental health problems. Since this reached a crisis point in the fall of 2021, the state has made progress addressing this new reality, in part by increasing the number of mental health counselors in our schools. As Gov. Henry McMaster announced this summer, the number of counselors has risen by 66%, to almost 1,000; 42 of the state's 73 school districts have mental health services in every school, and only one district still lacks such services.

The change was made possible by the new flexibility that gave school districts the power to hire their own mental health counselors or contract with private counselors while increasing their reimbursement rates for billed services, in addition to the school-based mental health counseling services that remain available through the S.C. Department of Mental Health. While the state had one counselor available for every 829 K-12 public school students earlier this year, the long-term goal is one for every 325 students, which will take continued state commitment to train, recruit and compensate those filling these jobs.

As the governor himself noted, the work is not done. The Legislature should seek not only to expand the number of counselors in unserved districts, but also to support preventive programs designed to make students more resilient and lessen the chance they will need a counselor in the first place.

Twenty years ago, about 5% of students battled depression, but that rose to 10% a decade ago. The pandemic only accelerated the change, with current estimates that 30% of students are grappling with depression. Adding in anxiety and substance abuse, half of our students currently face some sort of mental, emotional or behavioral challenge.

It makes sense that schools should remain our focal point for addressing this problem. As reporters Seanna Adcox and Tom Corwin have noted, research by the Behavioral Health Academy at the University of South Carolina has found children are 21 times more likely to access the services in schools than anywhere else. And a recent National Academy of Sciences report noted that preventive programs in schools amount to a successful strategy to address several health risks, including bullying, substance use and suicidal thoughts.

Even if a student is receiving treatment or therapy outside school, that should be shared with the school's teachers and counselors so they can adjust to the student's needs. Dr. Janice Key, a Distinguished University Professor of Pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina and medical director of the MUSC Boeing Center for Children's Wellness, has been working with schools in Charleston County - and more recently in Berkeley and Dorchester District 2 school districts - to fold mental health into schools' multi-tiered systems of support that focus on academic achievement. This essentially breaks down the silos among those working to help students experiencing mental health struggles.

While most students likely will succeed with general instruction in nutrition, physical activity and social and emotional wellness, a smaller number - a second tier - will need more assistance, perhaps art therapy, which has shown promise in reaching students with mental, emotional and behavioral issues. And a smaller number will need individual counseling. "This is messy, complicated work, but it's going better than anywhere else," Dr. Key tells us. "We're just asking schools to incorporate the mental health aspect into their team meetings." It's a practical, smart step.

While the state is making progress, local school districts and medical providers have roles to play. For example, a behavioral health coalition in the Spartanburg area is working on a new crisis diversion and evaluation program, including school referrals, to get students and families to mental health services without having to go to the emergency room. Lawmakers should think creatively to diversify funding for mental health support; meanwhile, increased pay for mental health clinicians also would help ensure we have enough of them to fill the need.

This is not a problem unique to South Carolina. Across the country, the number of children showing up at emergency rooms for mental health care rose 66% from 2019 to 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An even more recent CDC report found that every year since 2018, children aged 10-17 were more likely to use the ER for mental health reasons during the fall and spring school semesters than in the summer. It also noted that systemic changes that emphasize physical activity, social support and inclusive school environments can help improve child and adolescent mental health.

"South Carolina has made remarkable progress," Mr. McMaster said in June, and he was right. And he was even more correct when he noted, "However, our work is not done."

Educators, parents and advocates should do what they can to continue this work until we're assured that troubled students are able to get the assistance they need - and that we're taking the equally important steps of supporting them so fewer may need intensive help in the first place.

Times and Democrat

Oct. 17

Preparedness counts beyond hurricane season

It appears South Carolina is going to be spared the worst of hurricane season again in 2023. But there is the need for preparedness for all kinds of disasters. This week, the focus is earthquakes.

Gov. Henry McMaster has proclaimed Earthquake Preparedness Week Oct. 15-21 in South Carolina. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to take the opportunity to learn about our state's seismic fault system and how best to prepare for earthquakes.

A highlight of the week will be the Great Southeast ShakeOut on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 10:19 a.m.

More than 1.8 million people across eight states and Washington, D.C., will take part in the Great Southeast ShakeOut earthquake safety drill. The regional ShakeOut drill is part of an international effort in which participants simultaneously practice how to stay safe during an earthquake - "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." For most people, in most situations, this means:

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees.

COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand, as you crawl for shelter under a nearby table or desk.

HOLD ON to your shelter with one hand until shaking stops (remain on your knees and covering your head and neck with your other arm and hand).

Schools, businesses, organizations, government agencies, communities and households are encouraged to participate. Worldwide, more than 50 million people are expected to participate in the Great ShakeOut.

South Carolina has good reason to note the risk of quakes. A dozen low-magnitude earthquakes have been recorded in South Carolina so far this year. Geologists from the College of Charleston report that our state experiences 10 to 20 earthquakes annually.

The South Carolina Emergency Manager mobile app has an earthquake map feature that lists recent earthquake activity. It also allows you to sign up to be notified when one occurs.

The epicenter of the largest earthquake ever recorded along the Eastern Seaboard was just outside of Charleston on Aug. 31, 1886. The 7.3-magnitude quake devastated the region and was felt from Chicago to Cuba. According to a study commissioned by SCEMD, an earthquake of similar magnitude occurring today would result in tremendous loss of life, severe property damage and extreme economic loss.

Officials say they are as prepared as they can be for an earthquake, with rescue teams and emergency responders being trained regularly on structural collapse and emergency response. Thursday is your individual opportunity at preparedness.