BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — In a push to address rising mental‑health concerns and support veterans in crisis, the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office has partnered with several state and local agencies to install new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline signs at every county‑maintained boat landing.
The initiative, a collaboration between the coroner’s office, the Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition (VSPC), Berkeley County Parks and Recreation, and the South Carolina Office of Mental Health, resulted in 15 custom‑designed signs now standing at seven boat landings across the county.
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The coroner’s office described the project as a critical public‑health measure aimed at connecting residents, especially veterans, with immediate crisis support.
Coroner Darnell D. Hartwell said planning began in November 2025 after his office approached VSPC and county parks officials about placing two signs at the Cypress Garden Boat Landing, a site where multiple suicides have occurred, including cases involving veterans and active‑duty service members.
What started as a small, targeted effort quickly expanded.
After learning about the project, the South Carolina Office of Mental Health stepped in to provide funding, while Berkeley County Parks and Recreation agreed to install the signposts. VSPC designed the signage, which features a bold message of “HOPE” and includes the Veterans Crisis Line logo.
As discussions continued, officials decided to broaden the effort to all county‑maintained landings, increasing the total number of signs from two to 15. Each sign is positioned near a boat ramp — a deliberate placement meant to reach people at moments of isolation or distress.
