South Carolina Severe Mental Illness Resources & Helpful Info

S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-17-410. A person may be admitted to a public or private hospital, mental health clinic, or mental health facility for emergency admission upon: (1) written affidavit under oath by a person stating [the belief that a person meets the criteria]. S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-17-410. A person may be admitted to a public or private hospital, mental health clinic, or mental health facility for emergency admission upon: (1) written affidavit under oath by a person stating: (a) a belief that the person is mentally ill and because of this condition is likely to cause serious harm to himself or others if not immediately hospitalized; (b) the specific type of serious harm thought probable if the person is not immediately hospitalized and the factual basis for this belief; (2) a certification in triplicate by at least one licensed physician stating that the physician has examined the person and is of the opinion that the person is mentally ill and because of this condition is likely to cause harm to himself through neglect, inability to care for himself, or personal injury, or otherwise, or to others if not immediately hospitalized. The certification must contain the grounds for the opinion[.] S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-17-430. If a person believed to be mentally ill and because of this condition likely to cause serious harm if not immediately hospitalized cannot be examined by at least one licensed physician … because the person's whereabouts are unknown or for any other reason, the petitioner seeking commitment … shall execute an affidavit stating a belief that the individual is mentally ill and because of this condition likely to cause serious harm if not hospitalized, the ground for this belief and that the usual procedure for examination cannot be followed and the reason why. Upon presentation of an affidavit, the judge of probate for the county in which the individual is present may issue an order requiring a state or local law enforcement officer to take the individual into custody for a period not exceeding twenty-four hours[.]

S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-17-510. Proceedings for involuntary hospitalization by judicial procedure may be commenced by filing a written petition with the probate court of the county where he is present or where he is a resident by any interested person or the superintendent of any public or private mental institution in which he may be[.] S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-17-580(A). If, upon completion of the hearing and consideration of the record, the court finds upon clear and convincing evidence that the person is mentally ill, needs treatment and because of his condition: (1) lacks sufficient insight or capacity to make responsible decisions with respect to his treatment; or (2) there is a likelihood of serious harm to himself or others, the court shall order in-patient or out-patient treatment at a mental health facility … and may order out- patient treatment following in-patient treatment. S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-23-10(13). "Likelihood of serious harm" means because of mental illness there is: (a) a substantial risk of physical harm to the person himself as manifested by evidence of threats of, or attempts at, suicide or serious bodily harm; (b) a substantial risk of physical harm to other persons as manifested by evidence of homicidal or other violent behavior and serious harm to them; or (c) a very substantial risk of physical impairment or injury to the person himself as manifested by evidence that the person is gravely disabled and that reasonable provision for his protection is not available in the community. S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-23-10(7) “Gravely disabled” means a person who, due to mental illness, lacks sufficient insight or capacity to make responsible decisions with respect to his treatment and because of this condition is likely to cause harm to himself through neglect, inability to care for himself, personal injury, or otherwise. S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-23-10(21). "Person with a mental illness" means a person with a mental disease to such an extent that, for the person’s own welfare or the welfare of others or of the community, the person requires care, treatment or hospitalization.