FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 7, 2010

Contact:    DMH Office of Public Affairs
                  Phone: (803) 898-8585
                  E-mail: acm83@scdmh.org

Department of Mental Health Employee Named 2009 Mental Health Service Provider of the Year

Teri Younginer, a mental health counselor at the Charleston/Dorchester Community Mental Health Center, received the 2009 Mental Health Service Provider of the Year award from the SC Department of Juvenile Justice Dorchester County Office.

Ms. Younginer was recognized for her hard work and dedication toward making improvements in the lives of the youth of Dorchester County.

“Crossing systems can be a tricky job, but Teri refuses to acknowledge barriers to care. She is the kind of woman who lets nothing get in the way of providing for the families she serves,” said Deborah Blalock, executive director of the Charleston/Dorchester Community Mental Health Center.

The Department of Mental Health serves approximately 102,000 citizens including 33,000 children and adolescents with mental illnesses. The Department provides outpatient services through a network of seventeen community mental health centers and numerous clinics. It also operates four psychiatric hospitals as well as three nursing centers, including two for veterans.

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