SC launches COVID hotline to provide Spanish speakers with mental health, addiction help
South Carolinians now have at least one number they can call if they are experiencing mental health or addiction problems during the pandemic and want to talk to someone in Spanish: (833) TU-APOYO (882-7696).
The Tu Apoyo, or “Your Support,” line launched Monday as part of the S.C. Department of Mental Health and Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services’ SC-HOPES support line initiative. The phone line aims to help those experiencing new or worsening mental health or addiction issues. SC-HOPES launched June 1 and provides callers with general guidance, resource information and referrals.
Callers do not need to share any identifying information, and the hotline does not collect any personal information from callers.
“Times are difficult for everyone right now, and feeling stressed or uncertain is completely normal,” said Department of Mental Health counselor and Tu Apoyo supervisor Gianella Quiñones in a press release. “We created this line to ensure that Latinx families can easily connect with resources that will meet their specific needs and get support without having to worry about language fluency.”
The launch of Tu Apoyo comes just as newly released county-level data paints a fuller picture of coronavirus’ disproportionate effect on Latinos across South Carolina. Latinos make up 6% of the population statewide, according to the latest Census data, but at least 10% of COVID-19 cases around the state (another 32.8% do not report ethnicity).
Latinos in certain counties are particularly hard hit — Hispanics and Latinos represent 19.7% of COVID-19 cases in Beaufort County, but only 11.1% of the population, and in Jasper County, they represent 28.1% of cases and 13.9% of the population.
Tu Apoyo is available from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for on state holidays.
An earlier version of this story provided the wrong number for the Tu Apoyo hotline. It has been updated to reflect the correct one.
This story was originally published August 17, 2020 at 1:19 PM.
