SC Legislature Eyeing Youth Suicide & SUD Prevention in Schools

It’s no secret that our kids are facing challenges many of us never imagined dealing with when we were in school. Between the pressure to succeed, the influence of social media, the aftershocks of a pandemic, and the quiet but rising tide of anxiety, depression, and substance use—they’re up against a lot.

Now, the South Carolina Legislature is taking notice.

In the 2025 session, lawmakers introduced proposals aimed at improving how schools address youth mental health and suicide prevention—bills like H.3630 and H.3631. These measures are a step toward giving students better access to the support and information they need when they’re in crisis. And while the focus is on suicide prevention, there’s a growing recognition that mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) prevention go hand in hand.

At Counseling Services of Lancaster, we work every day with families, teens, and individuals affected by substance use. We know that early intervention matters. And we believe that school-based support systems could be a game-changer in helping young people get the help they need before things spiral.

Let’s take a look at what the proposed legislation means—and why prevention in schools is such an important part of this conversation.

What’s in the New Legislation?

The proposed bills in the South Carolina House aim to expand suicide prevention education in public schools. Specifically, they include:

• Displaying suicide prevention hotline information in middle and high schools.

• Requiring the Department of Education to provide mental health awareness training for educators and staff.

• Encouraging schools to partner with licensed mental health professionals for student education and intervention
  

It’s a solid start. And it opens the door for broader efforts—like teaching students about the risks of substance use, the importance of self-care, and how to reach out when they or someone they know is struggling.

This legislation matters because it puts mental health on the radar in an environment where students already spend the majority of their time. And by training teachers to recognize the warning signs, we’re not just helping kids in crisis—we’re creating a culture of awareness and support.

The Connection Between Suicide and Substance Use

Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough: Substance use and suicide are deeply connected.

Teens who misuse alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit substances are at significantly higher risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Sometimes, substances are used as a way to cope with underlying depression or trauma. Other times, they intensify existing mental health challenges, cloud judgment, and increase impulsivity.

In other words, when we talk about preventing suicide in schools, we have to talk about substance use, too.

We need to be honest with our kids. We need to help them understand not just the dangers of substances, but the reasons they might be tempted to use in the first place—stress, bullying, family issues, loneliness, or undiagnosed mental health conditions.

That kind of honesty can’t be delivered through scare tactics or once-a-year assemblies. It has to be woven into school culture. And that’s where partnerships with local counseling centers and treatment providers—like ours—can help.

Why Prevention in Schools Works

Studies consistently show that early, school-based prevention programs can reduce both mental health crises and substance use among youth. When students are given tools to cope, express themselves, and seek support early on, they’re less likely to self-medicate or suffer in silence. We offer prevention programs to schools and organizations that address SUD, so if you’re looking to prep for the upcoming school year, reach out to us here.

Here’s what works:

• Age-appropriate education: Programs (like ours!) that explain mental health and substance use in ways students can relate to—not preachy or patronizing.

• Safe adults on campus: Counselors, nurses, and teachers who are trained to respond when a student says, “I’m not okay.”
  

• Peer support programs: Giving students the opportunity to talk to each other in a guided, supportive setting.
  

• Resources that are visible and accessible: Hotlines, referral information, and pathways to professional help.
  

When these pieces are in place, schools become not just centers of learning—but spaces of healing and hope.

How This Impacts Lancaster County Youth

Here in Lancaster County, we’ve seen firsthand how mental health and substance use affect our youth. Over the last few years, the number of local teens struggling with anxiety, depression, vaping, marijuana use, and even prescription pill misuse has grown.

Sometimes it starts small—a student trying something at a party, or feeling like they need a pill to stay awake and study. Other times, it’s rooted in something deeper—grief, trauma, or feeling invisible.

But no matter how it starts, our job as a community is to make sure it doesn’t end in tragedy.

These legislative efforts are a wake-up call—and an opportunity. Lancaster County can lead the way in showing how a small, connected community can respond with compassion, education, and care. If schools, treatment providers, and families work together, we can create a local safety net that catches our youth before they fall.

How Counseling Services of Lancaster Can Help

At Counseling Services of Lancaster, we’re more than just a treatment center—we’re part of the solution.

We work closely with young people and families affected by substance use. Our services include:

• Student Prevention Programs
  

• Family therapy and education for minors with SUD
  

• School and community presentations

We’re also available to partner with local schools—offering training, prevention education, and consultation to help staff respond effectively to mental health and substance use concerns.

If you’re a parent, educator, or community leader wondering how to make a difference: start by opening the door. Talk to your kids. Talk to your students. Share resources. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s what we’re here for.

The South Carolina Legislature’s push for suicide prevention in schools is a strong first step—and it’s a reminder of how important it is to give our students the tools they need to stay safe, healthy, and hopeful.

But let’s not stop at posters and hotlines. Let’s keep pushing for education, connection, and compassion. Let’s talk about mental health. Let’s talk about substance use. Let’s talk to our kids.

And when it’s time for action, let’s make sure they know there’s a place—right here in Lancaster—where they can turn.

Counseling Services of Lancaster is here. For them. For you. For our community.