News Release: Gregory Pearce, Jr. Appointed to SC Mental Health Commission

Columbia, SC – L. Gregory Pearce, Jr., of Columbia, SC, has been appointed to serve as a member of the South Carolina Mental Health Commission, filling the seat for South Carolina’s Second Congressional district.

Pearce began his professional career as a clinical counselor at the South Carolina State Hospital in 1970, where he served for 16 years in multiple clinical and leadership capacities. In 1986, he was appointed director of BHDD Office of Mental Health’s Crafts-Farrow State Hospital, overseeing operations of the 800-bed facility until its closure in 1992. Pearce is perhaps most well known in the Midlands community for his service on Richland County Council, where he represented District Six from 1999-2018.

Pearce received a Bachelor of Science degree from Presbyterian College, and a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of South Carolina. His work in mental health advocacy has been extensive; as such, Pearce has been recognized by both the National Alliance on Mental Illness-SC and Mental Health America-SC.

“Mr. Pearce brings more than 50 years of clinical and mental health advocacy experience to the Commission,” said Mental Health Commission Chair Alison Y. Evans, Psy.D. “His history with the Department coupled with a career dedicated to public service make him uniquely qualified to help guide the BHDD Office of Mental Health as it continues to serve South Carolina by supporting the recovery of people with mental illness.”

The South Carolina Mental Health Commission, which meets monthly, is the governing body of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) Office of Mental Health. Commissioners are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2019

Contact: Tracy LaPointe
Phone: 803-898-8582
E-mail: tracy.lapointe@omh.bhdd.sc.gov