The South Carolina Governor’s Challenge Group is a coalition of Veterans, state agencies/leaders and mental health professionals committed to raising awareness and implementing programs aimed at Veteran suicide prevention.
Every month we will highlight a national health or awareness theme, providing brief information and resources to help Veterans, families, and communities stay informed and connected to important issues affecting their well-being.
The Governor's Challenge Group is highlighting Mental Health Awareness
This month provides us an opportunity to discuss Veteran experiences, including their duties, locations of service, and the transition to civilian life which create a unique set of stressors. Mental health professionals often point to significant life changes, trauma, and loss of close relationships as mental health risk factors.
Many South Carolinians struggle with mental health, and these challenges are more common than most people think. In South Carolina, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year, and more than 216,000 people in our state are living with a serious mental illness according to the National Alliance on Mental Health South Carolina (NAMI SC).
Access to care remains a challenge. Per the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) recent data release, South Carolina only meets about 31% of needed mental health services, largely due to a shortage of providers. That means long wait times, fewer options, and real barriers to care, especially in rural areas. The good news is that there are trusted resources available, including VA services, state organizations, and private for profit and not-for-profit charitable organizations.
Mental Health can affect anyone, especially those who serve or have served in the military
Mental illness can arise due to both genetic factors and stressful life events. Traumatic experiences, chronic stress, and major life 
changes can activate or worsen underlying predispositions. This applies to civilians and Veterans alike. For Veterans, the risk can be even higher. Military service brings experiences most people will never face—combat, high stress, and the transition to civilian life. These can contribute to conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use.
What are some of the warning signs/symptoms?
Mental illness is very real and shows up in a multitude of ways:
- Feeling disconnected after leaving service
- Struggling with stress, sleep, or purpose
- Keeping things bottled up instead of talking about it
Help is available. You’re not alone and more importantly, you don’t have to handle it alone.
What can you do about it?
- Talk to someone you trust (battle buddy, family member, mentor)
- Don’t wait until it gets worse—early support matters
- Stay connected. Isolation makes things harder
- Use available resources like the Veterans Crisis Line, VA services, or from your local physician
Mental Health maintenance matters!
Mental health maintenance means taking regular, proactive steps to protect and strengthen your emotional, psychological, and social well‑being. Mindfulness and meditation are some common maintenance practices.
Identifying stressors and triggers, coping strategies, and knowing when to seek help are just some of the components of mental health maintenance.
Mental health maintenance isn’t complicated. It’s about staying ahead of the problem. Fortunately help is available through various resources.
Available Resources
Here are resources available to help you with your Mental Health journey.
- Veterans Crisis Line – Call 988, then press 1 or Text to 838255
- VA mental health services – Counseling, therapy, and specialized care
- Make the Connection – Real stories from Veterans and tools to get support with overcoming mental health challenge
- Mental Health America
South Carolina Support Organizations:
- NAMI SC
- South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA)
- South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (SC PEBA)
- South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (SC BHDD)
- Mental Health America South Carolina (MHA-SC)
- South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs (SCDVA)
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs launched their own mental health month campaign. Click HERE to visit their website and hear Veterans share their stories about what made the difference in their mental health journeys.
https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SouthCarolina-GRPA-Data-Sheet-8.5-x-11-wide.pdf