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Behavioral Health Services
Excellence in Psychiatric Care
A mental or behavioral health condition can take many forms. For some people, it might be difficulty speaking on the phone. For others, it could be depressive thoughts that make even simple tasks like getting out of bed feel impossible. Many people will experience feelings of anxiety and depression during their lifetimes. Sometimes these feelings will last for only a few hours, but they can last for days or weeks in some instances.
Just like you’d see a doctor for an injury or cold, you can benefit from seeing a behavioral health specialist when your mind feels chaotic. The Behavioral Health Services Department of Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center provides holistic care to patients who are struggling with mental health issues.
Candidates for admission include adults (18 years of age or older) who have a psychiatric medical condition that requires treatment in an acute, short-term, or in-patient treatment program.
Compassionate and Personalized Therapy
The stigma behind mental health disorders is on the decline, but there is still some apprehension from people when it comes to addressing psychological problems. Mental health disorders come in many forms. Conditions such as depression and anxiety are very common, and people often struggle with them while trying to maintain their day-to-day lives. There are treatments for these problems, and our compassionate team of behavioral health counselors are here to help you find them.
Symptoms of a mental health disorder may include:
- Drastic mood changes
- Thoughts of suicide
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Feelings of anxiety or fear that make it difficult to go to work, school, or even get out of bed
- Sexual dysfunction
- Strong bursts of anger
- Sleeping difficulties
- Lack of appetite or overactive appetite
- Feelings of sadness or irritability that last longer than a few days
Our team works closely with patients to build personalized treatment programs. We know that every patient needs treatment specific to their needs and goals.
Admissions
Patients may be admitted to the Behavioral Health Services Department for several reasons:
- Patients may be transferred directly from the emergency department if they are having a psychological emergency
- Patients can be transferred from another provider within the hospital if their care professional feels they can benefit from behavioral health services
- Some patients are admitted directly into the department by a physician
To ensure that patients meet admission criteria and can benefit from the psychiatric services provided, patients are assessed and/or screened by a psychiatric social worker.
While in Behavioral Health Services, patients will be cared for by a team of professionals led by a psychiatrist. A social worker is the spokesperson for the treatment team and will meet with patients regularly while in the hospital and coordinate any contacts that are mutually agreed upon. A psychiatrist will meet with patients regularly and may order medication to help improve the patient's condition. A general health practitioner will be available to address any general medical problems that may arise or need to be managed while patients are hospitalized. 24-hour care is provided by psychiatric nursing staff.
If you are having a mental health crisis, call 911, go to the nearest emergency
room, or contact a member of Memorial Hospital's Crisis Assessment &
Intervention Team by calling the 24-hour mental health helpline at
812.827.6222.
