GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – More than 1,000 people packed the sanctuary at First Baptist Church on Thursday night as GOAL Justice welcomed dozens of faith-based organizations and community members to tackle major issues, including mental health, bullying and the ongoing housing crisis.
GOAL Justice stands for Greenville Organized for Accountable Leadership. The group’s annual Nehemiah Action brought together 34 congregations and faith communities.
Speakers shared personal stories, including a survivor of bullying and a mother who lost her daughter to suicide.
One couple said their family’s experience with mental health challenges is what brought them to the event.
“I do have a son that struggles with mental illness, and it’s just close to my heart that I want to be involved and do whatever we can,” Greenville County resident Roxie Moose said.
Mental health and bullying concerns
Local leaders called on Greenville County Schools, the state’s largest school district, to increase the number of mental health counselors serving the district’s more than 76,000 students.
GOAL Justice said there are nearly 800 reported bullying incidents each year in the district, the highest number in the state. The organization also said the district has one counselor per 635 students, compared to a commonly cited national recommendation of one counselor per 300 students.
District officials said they have more than 300 school counselors and about 80 certified mental health counselors. By that count, there is roughly one counselor for every 210 students —lower than National Education Association’s recommended ratio of one counselor per 250 students.
Nikki Williams, an executive committee member with GOAL Justice, said the difference in figures comes down to how counselors are counted and distributed across schools.
“We just know that there’s such a big need within the Greenville County School System for movement and help with those mental health issues — and a resolution to what we’re seeing with the bullying,” Williams said.
The district said in a statement that student mental health and well-being remain a priority.
GOAL Justice reached out to GCS to gain a preliminary understanding of existing resources. The District was responsive and will continue to be as we share in the belief that student mental health and well-being must remain a priority. Supporting students through academics, mental health, and character development is central to our work and aligns with our focus to provide a caring school environment.
More than a decade ago, GCS was the first district in South Carolina and one of the first in the country to provide mental health services for students within the school setting. Currently, the District employs more than 300 school counselors and has 82 certified mental health counselors serving students in every school across the district. We are grateful for strong community partnerships that support this work, including a Healthy Greenville Grant funding 15 additional school-based mental health counselors and a $5.8 million grant with Clemson University to grow the school counselor and mental health counselor pipeline. Additionally, the District is in the process of putting out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for additional mental health resources.
We recognize the vital roles that the District and our community play in providing these services, which require sustained funding, an available and qualified workforce, thoughtful implementation, and robust partnerships.
Preventing bullying requires a shared commitment from the District, staff, students, families, and the community. The District’s “See Something, Say Something” protocol remains one of the most effective tools, empowering students and parents to report concerns so they can be addressed quickly and appropriately. Every report is taken seriously and addressed through a clear and established process.
As South Carolina’s largest district, GCS serves approximately 76,000 students—about 10 percent of the state’s total—and remains committed to working alongside families and community partners to strengthen supports for every student throughout their entire educational experience.
GOAL Justice is also calling on the district to strengthen its zero-tolerance policies and on state lawmakers to create a standardized system for reporting bullying incidents across South Carolina.
Housing and eviction focus
Housing was another major focus of the event.
GOAL Justice said Greenville County ranks among the top three nationwide for eviction rates and is urging leaders to support legislation that would seal or remove eviction records.
“Because in South Carolina right now, if an eviction is filed against you at any point in your life, it stays on your record for the rest of your life,” said Lily Wood, one of GOAL Justice’s tri-presidents.
The group is also asking county leaders to commit to establishing a housing court to help reduce evictions.
Wood said housing courts in Richland and Charleston counties have helped reduce evictions there by 30%.
Leaders respond
Local and state leaders were invited to Thursday’s event.
Among those in attendance were state Sen. Jason Elliott, state Rep. Chandra Dillard, Greenville City Council members Dorothy Dowe and Tina Belge, and Greenville County Schools board member Glenda Morrison-Fair.
GOAL Justice said it also invited county council members, but none attended.
At the end of the night, leaders took the stage and answered questions from the community, including whether they would support stronger anti-bullying policies.
“My answer to that is — certainly, I will,” Morrison-Fair said.
Leaders in attendance said they support both stronger anti-bullying policies and eviction-related legislation.
State lawmakers said eviction legislation could be taken up next week at the Statehouse.
Resources
GOAL Justice: www.goaljustice.com/
Housing Uncertainty: www.greenvillesc.gov/1764/Homeless-Services-Resource-Guide
Bullying and mental health: www.greenville.k12.sc.us/Parents/main.asp?titleid=counseling
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