Behavioral Health

We're proud to offer a 15-bed, voluntary inpatient behavioral health unit for adults at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter. Our unit is a safe, healing space for people in need of short-term treatment during a mental health crisis.

Our patients voluntary request inpatient treatment, typically after arriving in an emergency department during a crisis. We serve adults with an array of conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, psychosis and suicidal thoughts.

Built for a Purpose

Built in 2018, our facility isn't like most psychiatric hospitals that are converted medical units. Ours is the only voluntary behavioral health unit in the area. And it was designed with behavioral health patients in mind.

Our unit offers a homelike environment. Everything from the soothing colors to the lighting was chosen to serve our patients' needs.

The facility has private patient rooms, outdoor therapy spaces and visitation areas. Our patients are not isolated to their rooms. We encourage them to interact with each other and our staff.

What to Expect in Our Behavioral Health Unit

Patients receive medications to stabilize their condition during their crisis. Patients also receive both a psychiatric and a medical evaluation, typically within the first 24 hours.

Once a patient gets a tour of the unit, they are able to move about and are encouraged to attend groups.

We offer group therapy on many topics, including coping skills, anger management and relaxation techniques. We hope our patients will use these skills to cope with struggles in their daily lives.

We also offer one-on-one counseling as well as regular medication management visits from a psychiatrist. Recreational therapy and nursing care are some of our other services.

We care for families too, helping them learn about their loved ones' condition and how they can support them.

Our Inpatient Team

Patients stay in our inpatient unit for an average of 3 to 5 days. During that time, they are cared for by a team that includes psychiatrists, social services, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, unit technicians and recreational therapists.

Our goal is to help our patients regain or improve their ability to function in daily life. Prior to discharge, we help arrange outpatient behavioral health treatments so that the person's healing journey can continue.

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are currently restricted because of COVID-19. Our normal visiting hours are 6:30 to 8 p.m. Daytime visiting hours are available Wednesday from 12:30 to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Visitors are allowed two at a time and must be at least 10 years old.

Learn More

To learn more about our voluntary inpatient behavioral health unit, please call 573.614.1976.

Southeast Behavioral Hospital offers a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient services to the people of Southeast Missouri. Our 102-bed facility offers a wide range of mental, emotional and behavioral health services for teens, adults and seniors experiencing mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and co-occurring substance use issues.

To learn more about Southeast Behavioral Hospital, please call 573-708-5000 or visit https://southeastbehavioral.com

Our virtual behavioral health team uses secure, interactive, high-definition audio and video equipment to coordinate virtual visits 24/7 with psychiatrists, medical social workers, and behavioral health nurses.

This technology provides instant access to an interdisciplinary team of behavioral health clinicians. Timelier treatment of patients in crisis can be performed in addition to increased access to supportive resources that specialize in complex behavioral health patients and crisis situations. This service also provides an after-hour and gap coverage solution.