A New Frontier in Youth Mental Health Care: South Carolina Paves the Way

In the past, South Carolina has fallen short in providing adequate mental health services for its most vulnerable youth. Many have ended up in the juvenile justice system, which, unlike a specialized treatment center, is not equipped to handle the unique needs of these young people. However, on a recent Monday, the state took a monumental step towards change by breaking ground on its new psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) for youth in Columbia.This groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of a paradigm shift in South Carolina's approach to youth mental health care. The new facility, named the William R. Byars Jr. Treatment Center, will provide a safe and specialized environment for young people with severe mental health needs. The center's 24 beds will cater primarily to youths in the juvenile justice system, as mandated by law, under the care of the Department of Mental Health. The William Byars Treatment Center is designed to create a path towards recovery for these young individuals, promoting a healthy, productive, and law-abiding future. The center will fill a significant gap in the state's mental health services, as previously, youths with severe mental health needs have been treated at private facilities or even relocated out of state if private centers lacked space or refused treatment.