S.C. House mulling more mental health counselors in schools

By Jamie Self — jself@thestate.com

COLUMBIA — House budget writers want to know the cost of putting mental health counselors in every public school.

The question came up when state Department of Mental Health director John Magill presented his agency’s budget request to a panel of House budget writers Wednesday.

Magill told the committee that with more money, he “would make sure there is at least some presence” of school-based mental health services “in every school district.”

State Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, chairman of the subcommittee, said Thursday the budget panel is exploring ways to expand mental health services, and school-based services are a “viable option.”

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