The Waccamaw Center seeks to provide needed services to individuals living with mental illness in an outpatient setting. The Center provides Clinic-Based outpatient treatment to adults with a focus on enhancing the individuals psychological, emotional, and social functioning. The Center offers an array of services based on the strengths, abilities, needs and preferences of the client and family. Services may include individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, psychosocial rehabilitative services, psychiatric assessment, medication monitoring, and crisis intervention.

Individuals are screened and assessed by mental health professionals to determine appropriateness for Center services. During the assessment, an initial clinical assessment is completed in order to begin the process of treatment. Once complete the individual will begin work with a treatment team. A clinician, who will assist in developing a Plan of Care and will provide therapeutic services to reach client centered goals for recovery.  A physician, who will provide overall guidance for your treatment and prescribe needed medications.  A nurse, who will assist you with medication concerns between physician visits.

If you have a life threatening emergency, for you or someone else, please call 911 immediately.

Crisis Services are available in all three of our locations.  Contact numbers are listed at the bottom of this page.  During normal business hours between 8:30AM to 5:00PM, feel free to call your local office or stop by the office as the crisis permits.  After business hours, your call will be forwarded to the on-call line and you will be given further instructions. 

Crisis Intervention

Each resident of the Waccamaw Center for Mental Health service area is provided the opportunity to petition the Probate Court to determine whether a relative or friend who will not seek treatment voluntarily may need involuntary treatment for a mental health or substance abuse disorder.  Waccamaw Center for Mental Health is the primary consulting agency between the Probate Court and citizens in matters of mental health and substance abuse by initiating detention orders for emergency commitments and judicial examinations by the Probate Court. Waccamaw Center for Mental Health also provides Designated Examiners to perform Mental Health and Substance Abuse examinations for the Probate Court.

Probate Court

Waccamaw Mental Health provides support to the citizens of Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg Counties in matters of mental health and substance abuse by initiating the Probate Court paperwork for detention and evaluation orders.  We also work with the local Probate Courts to provide designated examiners to those identified by the court as in need of a mental health evaluation. 

According to the U.S Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, four million adults met the criteria for both serious mental illness and substance dependence and abuse, commonly referred to as Co-Occurring Disorder (COD).

• • Among adults with serious mental illness, 23% were dependent on or abused alcohol or illicit drugs.  Further,
  • Among adults with substance dependence or abuse, 20% had serious mental illness. 
  • In 1991, 4.7% of the US population aged 15-54 had COD.
  • 51% of those with a lifetime addictive disorder had a lifetime mental disorder.
  • Estimates of those persons with COD actually seeking treatment range from about 10% to 40%.
  • Co-occurring Disorders (COD) are common in the general adult populations,
    though many COD go untreated.

Group Therapy services for Co-occurring disorders are available in the Georgetown Clinic for persons who meet criteria for services through the mental health center. Screenings and referrals for other services and treatment are made through partnerships with local Substance Abuse Commissions and other community agencies.

Your Protected Health Information (PHI) is protected by federal and state confidentiality laws including: 45 CFR Part 160 (HIPAA), Section 44-22-100, SC Code (pertaining to BHDD Office of Mental Health patients, former patients and persons subject to commitment), and as applicable, 42 CFR Part 2 (Alcohol and Drug Program information). If you are receiving alcohol and drug program services, we may not be able to share your information without your written authorization or court order.

For more information, contact the Waccamaw Clinic in Horry, Georgetown or Williamsburg County.

The Waccamaw Center stresses the development of safe, decent and affordable housing for individuals who have a severe and persistent mental disorder. A continuum of housing has been developed for clients who are homeless or live in sub-standard housing.

The PATH grant, which is federally funded, provides salaries for two outreach staff positions to address the needs of homeless mentally ill. Three other positions are funded through a second grant in partnership with Little River Medical Center, a primary health care facility. Among the services offered are assessments, referrals, and case management services involving prevention, intervention and follow-up.

Due to limited resources, the Center relies heavily upon established community relationships. In Horry County, the center developed a private, non-profit corporation Waccamaw Housing Inc. (WHI). Currently three projects have been developed through this relationship. The first was an agreement with local developer to provide 14 one-bedroom units of affordable housing in three phases of Swansgate Apartments in Myrtle Beach. The second project, through a Shelter Plus Care Grant, provides rental assistance vouchers to individuals and families who are homeless in Horry, Williamsburg and Georgetown counties. And the third project is the development of Porter Place Apartments in Williamsburg County, which provides 20 one-bedroom affordable apartments for homeless individuals.

Also, in cooperation with the city of Myrtle Beach and Federal Grants, the Alliance Inn was built and opened in 2004, providing a total of 54 one, two and three bedroom units. An average of 66 children lives at the inn.

In addition, Georgetown Mental Health of America chapter built 12 one-bedroom free standing units the Meadowlands in Andrews, SC for homeless individuals. The WCMH in partnership with the non-profit Home Alliance Inc. developed Balsam Street apartments, which consists of 25 single room units designed to accommodate chronically homeless and disabled males.

Clients in all units receive frequent and often daily contact with WCMH staff. Individuals placed in housing have demonstrated the ability to live independently and are psychiatrically stable. A number of the clients placed in these housing programs are also involved with WCMH employment program, and currently working or learning work skills.

Kingstree Location only

The IOT Program services adult clients in need of a more intense level of mental health care than traditional outpatient services by providing a comprehensive approach to the delivery and coordination of services. A comprehensive approach to assessment, treatment and rehabilitation is a feature of this program. The specific services include rehabilitative services in relation to increased independent living and functioning of the client. Services may be provided in both group and individual settings within the Clinic and community.

For more information contact Waccamaw Center for Mental Health

We Can Help You

Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) offer hope through sharing their own experience in dealing with mental illness and/or substance abuse.

We provide an ongoing support system through group & individual care to cope with barriers and work towards client goals.

Peer support services assist adults who are living with mental illness and/or substance abuse. Services are person centered, focusing on

strengths, abilities, needs and recovery goals.

GOALS OF CPSS (Certified Peer Support Services):

1. Assist clients in becoming empowered through self-advocacy skills:
   • Addresses stigma and discrimination against themselves and their peers
   • Encourages taking a proactive role in treatment
   • Emphasizes discussing concerns about medications or diagnoses with the physician or nurse 
   • Encourages clients to participate in system advocacy (making phone calls or writing letters about mental health issues or speaking about mental illness to an audience)

2. Assist clients in learning self-help techniques 
   • Cultivates the ability to make informed, independent choices
   • Helps clients develop a network for information and support

3. Assist clients in learning self-improvement techniques and skill development:
   • Involves planning and facilitating specific, realistic activities that lead to increased self-worth and improved self-concepts

4. Provide crisis support: 
   • Assists the clients with the development of a crisis plan 
   • Teaches clients how to recognize the early signs of relapse
   • Teaches clients how to request help to prevent a crisis 
   • Teaches clients how to use a crisis plan

5. Assist clients in obtaining services/information and using community and natural supports that meet their individual needs in a recovery process

The philosophy of Psychosocial Rehabilitation is a treatment program for persons with long-term, severe psychiatric disabilities. The programs are designed to both strengthen the individual’s skills and to develop the environmental support necessary to sustain the individual in the community.

The specific services include opportunities to meet identified needs and supportive services in relation to independent living. They shall be offered in a manner that maximizes the individual’s responsibility, control and feeling of self-worth.

The services, which the individual may need to use on a short term basis or indefinitely, are designed to achieve or maintain community adjustment. They are provided in the context of a supportive normalizing environment in the community. In addition, their treatment program may include client assessment, goal planning activities, individual and group therapy, and family support activities.

The Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program helps to evaluate the needs, abilities, strengths and preferences of the individual by identifying and developing skills necessary to live independently within their communities. The program focus is on three elements: Rehabilitative Psychosocial Therapy, Interpersonal Skills and Daily Living Skills as a mean to assisting clients in their recovery process.

It Works!

The IPS program is a joint venture between Waccamaw Center for Mental Health and the S.C. Vocational and Rehabilitation Department to provide individualized job searches in the competitive working world and follow along support for persons receiving services at WCMH .

Reasons Employers should hire through IPS:

High Quality

Professional job coaches provide hands-on training and monitoring while the individual is employed. Training is continued until the employer is satisfied.

Dependability

The IPS work candidates are individuals who are loyal, productive and dedicated with better than average attendance and safety records.

Reduction in Training Costs

Professional job coaches will be available to provide training in order to expedite the training process.

Benefits

All candidates are prescreened and selected according to their skills for the appropriate placement. Dedicated job coaches monitor the performance until the employer is satisfied. Long-term support and communication are available while the employee is working.

#1 Commitment

The IPS program is committed to give the employer a great employee and to give the work candidates everything needed in order to succeed in competitive employment. Our goal is to make our work candidates vital members of America’s workforce.

Contact Us

IPS program can be reached through the Waccamaw Center for Mental Health

Homeshare

The south Carolina Department of Mental Health (BHDD Office of Mental Health) in 1991 engaged in a statewide initiative to reduce the census of it’s inpatient facilities to provide community living options to institutional care.

As a result Homeshare has a permanent place among the community-based options available for persons leaving a state hospital. There are currently thirteen mental health centers supporting over 200 placements. 

What is the Homeshare program?

Homeshare is a unique and innovative adult foster care program sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) Office of Mental Health and operated by the Community Mental Health Centers.

What is the purpose of Homeshare?

The primary purpose of Homeshare is to assist men, women and youth, who’s lives have been challenged by psychiatric disabilities and interrupted by hospitalization.

To experience a successful transition from hospital to community living and become fully participating members of their communities, these individuals require help in establishing and maintaining a network of community support.

This will be achieved with the services of a fully credentialed staff who will provide a range of psychiatric and case management services.

What are the requirements to become a Homeshare provider?

• • A willingness to share your home with someone who has been a resident of a South Carolina inpatient facility.

  • Being a team member to help clients learn independent living skills.

  • A home that meets physical standards.

  • Satisfactory completion of a home study, and initial training.

  • Participation in ongoing training.

What will Homeshare offer providers?

• • The support of a fully credentialed staff.

  • A monthly Stipend.

  • Full orientation and ongoing training.

  • Respite support.

  • Opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.