MHAGC had the honor of attending the 2025 Hope Rising in South Carolina conference on Friday, February 28th! Thanks in large part to a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), our friends at Mental Health America South Carolina and the SC Department of Mental Health’s Office of Suicide Prevention brought together attendees from across the state for a full day of learning about mental health, suicide awareness, prevention, and advocacy.
MHAGC’s own Volunteer Coordinator, Nicole Coleman, had the opportunity to present alongside SCDMH’s Jennifer Brush, sharing insights into the collaborative work of our 988 Lifeline contact centers. Their discussion covered the history of the 988 Lifeline in South Carolina, current successes—including a record-high 89% in-state answer rate for January—future plans, and common misconceptions about the service. It was a wonderful start to a jam-packed day of incredible speakers and critical information.
We learned more about ways to support youth in crisis from SCDMH’s Lauren Azarigian and received insightful guidance on assisting Veterans and Active Duty service members from Rodney Oldham of the SC Department of Veterans Affairs. Vic Armstrong, Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, captivated the audience with an impactful talk on partnering with communities of color in suicide prevention.
An insightful panel of first responders—including Charlotte Anderson from Charleston County’s 911 center, James Beaver from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and Patti Graham from SC FAST—was expertly moderated by Allison Farrell of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. They provided firsthand perspectives on the importance of proactive mental health support in emergency services.
The conference’s keynote speaker, Sarah Gaer, closed the day with profound insights into suicide prevention efforts for “tough guys”—her favorite brand of brave, strong men in dangerous professions who face increased suicide risk. She also shared her passion project, Soul Exhaustion and Soul Care, blending storytelling with data, humor, and transparency in a truly spellbinding presentation.
A final sendoff from SCDMH’s Office of Suicide Prevention Program Manager, Jessie Barnes, left us all with a powerful reminder: no matter our agency, role, or background, suicide prevention is everyone’s job. The 988 Crisis Continuum is one way that Hope Rises in South Carolina.
