About Us

Who We Serve

The Columbia Area Mental Health Center provides emergency services, case management, outpatient counseling and psychiatric treatment for children, adolescents, adults, and families in Richland and Fairfield Counties.

The priority populations that we serve are:

– adults with serious and persistent mental illness

– adults with major, acute psychiatric concerns

– children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance

OUR MISSION

The Columbia Area Mental Health Center provides effective mental health services to the citizens of Richland and Fairfield Counties in response to public mandates and identified needs. Priority is given to adults with serious and persistent mental illness and to children and adolescents who are seriously emotionally disturbed and their families. The Center will promote a quality of life through its services and educational program which enhances the recovery of the persons served.

Guiding Principles

The Columbia Area Mental Health Center will:

• Treat everyone (clients, families, and staff) with dignity, honesty, integrity, and respect.
• Provide confidential, accessible services:
  – At convenient locations and hours.
  – In ways that are sensitive to the individual and their culture.
  – In a manner that enhances the client’s ability to lead a fulfilling, productive life.
  – That include comprehensive treatment as indicated by each person’s unique need.
• To all who have a financial need regardless of their ability to pay.
• Work to increase the understanding of mental illness and promote positive community attitudes.
• Work with clients and, when appropriate, their families to prevent or mitigate the negative consequences of mental illness.
• Operate in a manner that is cost effective and fully accountable to the people we serve, to the SC Department of Mental Health, and to the public.
• Provide a work environment in which staff can provide excellence in service and flourish professionally and personally.

A National Health Service Corps site

As A National Health Service Corps site, we promise to serve all patients, offer discounted fees for patients who qualify, and not deny services based on a person’s race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or ability to pay. The Center accepts several insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare and SC Healthy Connections for Children. No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay; and there is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available based on family size and income.

Columbia Area Mental Health Center does not discriminate against or refuse services to anyone based on age, sex, gender, race, religion, disability, national origin, health status, sexual orientation or economic status.