Inpatient Behavioral Health

SIH's inpatient mental health program offers 24-hour care for adults experiencing severe mental health crises in a secure, therapeutic environment. Our services are provided through two specialized units: our Adult Unit designed for people ages 18-64, and our Geriatric Unit specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of patients 65 and older. Both units feature multidisciplinary treatment teams including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, social workers and therapists who work collaboratively to provide personalized care through medication management, individual therapy, group therapy and family education—all aimed at crisis stabilization and developing a foundation for continued recovery.

Patient safety is our highest priority throughout the inpatient treatment process. Our facility is designed with secure, monitored environments that protect vulnerable people while maintaining dignity and comfort. We implement evidence-based safety protocols, including thorough risk assessments, 24-hour observation, structured daily routines and careful monitoring of medication effects. Our compassionate staff is specially trained in de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care approaches that create a healing atmosphere where patients feel secure while working through acute symptoms. This commitment to safety extends to our discharge planning process, ensuring each patient transitions to appropriate follow-up care with a comprehensive safety plan tailored to their specific needs.

Conditions Treated

• Severe Depression

Severe depression can be life-threatening when symptoms become so intense that they significantly impair daily functioning, self-care and safety. Our inpatient program provides immediate intervention for people experiencing profound hopelessness, persistent suicidal thoughts, extreme withdrawal or depression that has not responded to outpatient treatment, creating a safe environment for stabilization and recovery.

• Severe Anxiety and Panic Disorders

When anxiety or panic symptoms become overwhelming and unmanageable, causing extreme distress, inability to perform basic functions or physical manifestations that require urgent care, inpatient treatment becomes necessary. Our specialized approach addresses severe, debilitating anxiety through intensive therapy, medication management and skills development in a structured, supportive environment away from external stressors.

• Bipolar Disorder

Acute episodes of bipolar disorder—whether manic, depressive, or mixed states—can lead to dangerous behaviors, severe impairment and medical emergencies requiring immediate stabilization. Our inpatient unit provides 24-hour monitoring and rapid intervention during these critical phases, focusing on mood stabilization, medication adjustment and development of recognition and management strategies for episode triggers.

• Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia crises often involve severe psychotic symptoms, disorganized thinking and impaired reality testing that can compromise safety and basic functioning. Our inpatient program offers comprehensive care during acute episodes, with specialized interventions to address hallucinations, delusions and disorganized behavior while implementing effective medication protocols and developing long-term management strategies.

• Opioid Dependence

Severe opioid dependence requires specialized care to manage potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms and address the complex psychological aspects of addiction. Our medically-supervised detoxification services provide safe withdrawal management, while our integrated approach addresses both the physical dependence and underlying mental health factors that contribute to opioid use disorders.

• Severe Substance Abuse and Substance-Induced Psychosis

Acute substance intoxication, withdrawal or substance-induced psychosis can present immediate dangers requiring specialized medical and psychiatric intervention. Our inpatient services provide medically-monitored detoxification, treatment of psychotic symptoms and integrated care addressing both the substance use disorder and any co-occurring mental health conditions, creating a foundation for ongoing recovery.

• Suicidal Behavior or Self-Harm

People who are having strong thoughts of suicide, have tried to take their own life, or are seriously hurting themselves, need immediate support in a structured setting. We provide round-the-clock care in a safe environment and help them through the crisis. Our team then works closely with them to create a plan and build practical tools for coping with what’s behind these thoughts and behaviors.

• Delusions and/or Hallucinations

Severe delusions or hallucinations can significantly distort perception and judgment, potentially leading to dangerous situations or inability to care for oneself. Our inpatient program provides specialized care for acute psychotic symptoms, implementing effective medication protocols, reality-testing interventions and supportive therapies in a safe environment that minimizes sensory overload and confusion.

• Severe Cases of Personality Disorders

When symptoms of personality disorders escalate to crisis levels—including extreme emotional dysregulation, dangerous impulsivity, or severe self-destructive behaviors—inpatient care provides necessary stabilization and intensive intervention. Our specialized approach addresses acute symptoms while helping patients develop emotional regulation skills, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance techniques that can be continued in less restrictive settings.

Custom Tailored Treatment Programs

At SIH, we understand that effective mental health treatment requires a personalized approach that addresses each person's unique needs and circumstances. Our inpatient behavioral health program follows a comprehensive four-phase treatment model beginning with a thorough assessment conducted by our multidisciplinary team. This initial evaluation includes psychiatric interviews, medical examination, psychological testing when appropriate and detailed history-taking to develop a complete understanding of each patient's condition, contributing factors and specific needs that will guide their individualized treatment plan.

Following assessment, our focus shifts to stabilizing the patient through evidence-based medication management and intensive therapeutic interventions tailored to each patient's specific diagnosis and symptoms. During this phase, patients participate in structured individual and group therapy sessions utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and other specialized approaches to address thought patterns, develop coping skills and build emotional regulation. As symptoms stabilize, treatment transitions to preparing patients for return to the community through family education sessions, connection to appropriate outpatient services and development of comprehensive aftercare plans. This carefully coordinated discharge planning ensures a seamless transition from inpatient care to ongoing support services, providing patients with the resources, follow-up appointments, medication management and safety plans necessary for continued recovery and successful reintegration into their daily lives.

Mulberry Center Expansion

SIH is reaffirming its commitment to regional mental healthcare with the expansion of the SIH Mulberry Center. This transformative project includes a 9,900-square-foot addition featuring 12 new rooms, alongside comprehensive modernization of the existing adult and geriatric psychiatry units. This expansion is a major advancement in mental health services for Southern Illinois, addressing the critical need for specialized psychiatric care in our region and reducing the need for patients and families to travel long distances to receive appropriate treatment during mental health crises.

A cornerstone of the expansion is the addition of specialized medical-psychiatric beds, designed to serve patients with both acute psychiatric needs and concurrent medical conditions that require simultaneous treatment. This innovative approach significantly improves patient care by reducing emergency department wait times and allowing patients to begin psychiatric treatment more quickly, leading to better outcomes and faster stabilization. The modernized facility features enhanced therapeutic spaces, improved safety features and an environment specifically designed to promote healing and recovery, all supported by SIH's comprehensive team of mental health professionals. By investing in expanded mental health infrastructure, SIH continues its dedication to addressing the complete healthcare needs of our community and ensuring that quality psychiatric care is accessible to all residents of Southern Illinois.

Click here to learn more about the SIH Mulberry Center expansion project.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the SIH Mulberry Center is based on an evaluation of each person's clinical needs, with priority given to those experiencing acute psychiatric crises that present immediate safety concerns or severe functional impairment requiring 24-hour supervision and intensive intervention. For patients who don't meet inpatient admission criteria but still require support, our mental health team works diligently to connect them with appropriate alternative care options, including intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, crisis stabilization services or community-based resources tailored to their specific needs. We understand that financial concerns often accompany healthcare decisions, which is why SIH offers financial counseling services to help patients understand their insurance coverage for behavioral health services, identify potential assistance programs and develop manageable payment plans when needed – ensuring that financial considerations never prevent someone from receiving necessary mental health care.

Referral Process

SIH Mulberry Center accepts inpatient referrals and hospital transfers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that patients can access critical mental health care whenever the need arises. Our streamlined referral process is designed to minimize delays and connect patients with appropriate care as quickly as possible.