New study finds mental health care is Horry County's biggest unmet need

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A recent community assessment identified mental health services as the largest unmet need in Horry County, as nearly half of local households struggle to afford basic necessities.

The United Way of Horry County found that 41% of households are working but cannot consistently afford essentials.

The findings come as South Carolina ranks 49th in the nation for access to mental health care. Local residents report an average of 4.8 poor mental health days each month, while approximately 15% of the Horry County population lacks health insurance.

Providers say the combination of cost, provider shortages, and social stigma prevents many people from seeking help early.

Danielle Maloney, a local patient, at the Couples and Family Counseling and Wellness Center, sought help after losing her job. She had previously encountered a therapist's contact information and decided to reach out when her situation became critical.

"I happened across one of the therapists here at my old job, and then I lost my job," Maloney said. "So, I found the card and called to see if somebody could help, because I knew that I needed to treat myself — I needed to start to really take care of my mental health in order to have a better quality of life."

Maloney emphasized that the treatment environment has been supportive and advocated for viewing mental health with the same importance as physical health.

"I think it should be treated as any other type of medical condition," she said. "There's absolutely no judgment. I've never felt this safe and had this much trust toward another person that's helping me."

Mental health providers say they frequently see people wait until they are overwhelmed or in a crisis before reaching out for assistance. Nicole Haunroth, a licensed therapist who works at the Couples and Family Counseling and Wellness Center, said the stigma surrounding mental health remains a significant barrier for many.

"I think probably stigma is one of them. I hate the stigma on mental health itself," Haunroth said. "'What are people going to think of me if I do have to go and get help?' That kind of thing."

While stigma may be decreasing, the availability of doctors is a growing concern for the region. Dr. Benjamin Casola, a psychiatrist, noted that many patients are struggling to find consistent care because of a lack of available providers.

"I think the stigma is reducing really now it's just being able to get providers," Casola said. "I've heard patients have come here because they said my psychiatrist moved away or they retired."

Casola said the demand for services is outpacing the current workforce in South Carolina.

"The need is there, and it's growing faster than how many people we have already who can provide those things," he said. He noted that support is vital for various conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and addiction.

Financial concerns and a lack of insurance also prevent residents from seeking help. Haunroth noted that cost and insurance coverage are typically the first topics potential patients ask about when they call.

To address this, her center utilizes a sliding scale to adjust rates based on a patient's income.

"That's one of the first questions people ask. Is there insurance? How much does it cost?" Haunroth said. "We have what's called a sliding scale — what we would charge per hour — but then based on income, we can reduce those rates."

As Horry County continues to grow, health care providers say additional support services and more providers will be required to meet the increasing demand. Maloney said the treatment she received has already significantly changed her perspective.

"It has greatly impacted my life," Maloney said. "I don't think that people understand how important it is and how much it can affect our lives."

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WBTW. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WBTW staff before being published.

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Jordan Titus is a multimedia journalist and producer at News13. She joined the team in April 2025. Jordan is from Morristown, New Jersey, and moved to the Myrtle Beach area in 2020 and attended Coastal Carolina University. You can read more of her work here.