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2026 South Carolina Chapter Board of Directors

AFSP South Carolina

The work we do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those who have lost someone to suicide.

About the AFSP South Carolina Chapter

The grassroots work we do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide.

As a part of AFSP’s growing nationwide network of chapters, we bring together people from all backgrounds who want to prevent suicide in our communities. Families and friends who have lost someone to suicide, vulnerable individuals, mental health professionals, clergy, educators, students, community/business leaders, and many others energize our chapter.

No matter how challenging the times, you are not alone in South Carolina. The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) Office of Mental Health and Office of Substance Use Services has partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to provide the Interactive Screening Program - a safe and easy service that allows individuals to anonymously take a Self-Check Questionnaire and connect with a professional counselor in the State of South Carolina who can provide guidance, support, and resources for mental health and addiction services. This service is available to all residents of South Carolina 18 years of age or older. Visit hope.connectsyou.org to get started.

The South Carolina Chapter Board of Directors for 2026

Allyson Sipes, Psy D., Board Chair, Columbia

Peter Warren, Ph. D., Board President, Columbia

Jenny Morales, Secretary, Columbia 

Travis Duncan, SGT, Treasurer, Columbia 

Mekeshia Bates, DNP, MDIV, MPH, MSN, Spartanburg

Yvette Rother, Columbia

Regina Creech, M.S., CHES, Charleston 

Greg Van Dyke, MDIV, McCormick 

Felicia Sullivan-Johnson, Charleston

Scott Smith, M.Ed, BSN, RN, Columbia

Julie Gagne, Columbia

Chapter contact

Michelle Bessett
Area Director, South Carolina
[email protected]
(803) 528-4315

Upcoming events and activities

  • Featured Event

    2026 Seven Eleven Memorial Golf Tournament

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  • Anderson University Campus Walk

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  • USC Upstate Campus Walk

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  • Winthrop University Campus Walk

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  • Converse University Campus Walk

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  • South Carolina Construction Hike for Hope

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  • York County Walk

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  • Upstate Spartanburg Walk

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  • Columbia Area Walk

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  • Greenville SC Walk

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  • Charleston Area Walk

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  • Looking for even more? See all AFSP virtual programs across the country.

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Young adult smiling while sitting in park

It’s Real

It’s Real is a documentary featuring the stories of six college students from across the country.

Four friends standing outside having a conversation

Talk Saves Lives™

Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is a community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to help save lives.

Healing Conversations:
Personal Support for Survivors of Suicide Loss

Healing Conversations gives survivors of suicide loss the opportunity to speak with volunteers, who are themselves loss survivors.

Join the AFSP South Carolina Chapter