The mission of Services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing People within the South Carolina Department of Mental Health is to provide a statewide system of care for the delivery of mental health services which promote recovery and allow enhanced mental functioning for Adults, Children and Families where Deafness presents a significant cultural and/or linguistic barrier.

As a national leader in the mental health service delivery to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people (and their families), SCDMH functions as follows:

• Providing community-based mental health services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people who reside in each county of South Carolina. Providing appropriate inpatient services to those Deaf or Hard of Hearing people in need of that level of care, regardless of their age or physical condition.
•  Providing appropriate housing services and supports to individuals who, because of their mental health problems are unable to sufficiently meet their own housing needs.
• Providing specialized mental health services to Deaf children and their families, to enable them to grow and develop into effective and productive adults in society.
• Providing training and exposure to Deafness for professionals in various mental health fields (including Child Psychiatry) through a collaborative program with the USC School of Medicine.
• Providing consultation and support to other states and mental health agencies regarding the development, funding and implementation of appropriate services to this underserved cultural minority.
• Providing liaison services between the South Carolina Department of Mental Health and Deafness-related stakeholder organizations and individuals within South Carolina.