From free clinics to mental health support, here’s a roundup of resources available to SC residents across the state.
South Carolina is home to a growing network of community health organizations dedicated to making quality care accessible to everyone — regardless of income, insurance status, or location. Whether you’re looking for free primary care, mental health support, or wellness programs for your family, these resources are worth knowing about.
Free and Low-Cost Medical Clinics
For residents without insurance or with limited coverage, South Carolina’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide primary care on a sliding fee scale based on income. With locations across the state — from the Upstate to the Lowcountry — these centers offer medical, dental, and behavioral health services.
Notable options include:
Cooperative Health in Columbia offers comprehensive primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, and dental services to underserved communities. Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head provides free medical care to low-income, uninsured adults on the Island. Byrnes Medical Center in Duncan serves Spartanburg County residents with affordable primary and preventive care.
To find an FQHC near you, visit findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov and search by zip code.
Mental Health and Crisis Support
Mental health resources in South Carolina have expanded significantly in recent years. The state operates a network of Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) with 17 centers and over 50 clinic locations statewide. Services include individual therapy, psychiatric evaluation, substance use treatment, and crisis intervention — often on a sliding fee scale.
For immediate crisis support, South Carolina residents can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The line connects callers with trained local counselors who can help navigate both mental health and substance use crises.
Women and Children’s Health Programs
The South Carolina WIC Program (Women, Infants, and Children) provides nutrition support, breastfeeding assistance, and healthcare referrals for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five. WIC serves families across all 46 counties and can be accessed through local county health departments.
The Best Chance Network offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings to uninsured and underinsured women between the ages of 30 and 64. Early detection saves lives — and this program makes it possible for every South Carolina woman to access that care.
Healthy Aging and Senior Services
The Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging coordinates services for South Carolina seniors through a network of Area Agencies on Aging. Programs include Meals on Wheels, in-home care assistance, caregiver support, transportation, and adult day programs.
For seniors managing chronic conditions, the SNAP-Ed program offers free nutrition education and cooking classes through Clemson University Extension offices across the state.
Community Wellness Programs
Many of South Carolina’s hospitals and health systems offer free community wellness programs as part of their nonprofit mission. These include:
Prisma Health’s community education programs covering diabetes prevention, heart health, and cancer screening. MUSC Health’s community outreach initiatives focused on cardiovascular health and stroke prevention. Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s wellness events and free health screenings held throughout the Charleston area.
Check your local hospital’s community benefit page or call their community health line to find out what’s available near you.
How to Find Resources Near You
The SC 211 helpline is one of the most valuable and underused tools in the state. By dialing 2-1-1 or visiting sc211.org, residents can connect with a trained specialist who can identify local health, housing, food, and social service resources in their area — 24 hours a day, in multiple languages.
It’s the closest thing South Carolina has to a one-stop shop for community resources, and it’s completely free to use.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to navigate the healthcare system alone. South Carolina has a strong and growing network of community organizations committed to keeping residents healthy — and many of their services are free or low-cost. Bookmark this page, share it with someone who needs it, and don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the organizations listed here.
Have a community health resource we should add to this list? Contact us at Palmetto Health Network — we’d love to hear from you.
