ORANGEBURG, S.C. — In a state where mental health resources are sparse, a new initiative is taking root to address the critical shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists in private practice across South Carolina.
According to state data, 14 counties in the state currently lack any licensed psychiatrists or psychologists in private practice, and an additional nine counties have only one professional in this field.
In response to this shortage, the Tri-County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Orangeburg has launched a Psychiatry Residency Program.
The program, funded by $3 million from the state budget, aims to train psychiatrists to serve in underserved rural areas where mental health care is often inaccessible.
Christian Alfonso, a first-year resident in the program, said the program aligns perfectly with his aspirations.
“I am really drawn to the idea of legacy and like making a difference,” said Alfonso. “It was a match made in heaven.”
Dr. Mark Kilgus, the Residency Program's Institutional Official, said the program started in July and will train 10 residents per year, and will be a four-year program.
"So, we would expect five years from now that many of these psychiatrists that we've trained, the vast majority of will be in South Carolina," said Kilgus.
For the last six months, residents have been providing essential psychiatric care in nine different South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH) rural community health centers, including Lexington, Sumter, Orangeburg, Columbia, and Batesburg.
Dr. Kilgus emphasizes a unique aspect of the initiative. While most residencies are typically associated with large hospital systems, this program places a significant focus on providing outpatient care.
"The idea here is to provide good outpatient care so that folks don't need to be hospitalized, don't need to be seen in emergency situations," explains Dr. Loper.
It also emphasizes care in Primary Care. The residents will rotate through several of MUSC Health-Orangeburg’s primary care practices, as well as MUSC Health Orangeburg’s outpatient neurology practice.
“That's truly the only way that we're going to get rid of the stigma. They have to be treated in the same place and just remember, there is no health without mental health,” said Kilgus.
The S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services and the county alcohol and drug abuse agencies in each county; the Dorn VA Medical Center and Bamberg Family Practice have also partnered with TCCADA for the program.
Alfonso said he plans to stay in South Carolina after graduation.
“The success they’ve had here, I can only hope is replicated in other areas,” said Alfonso.