Missouri Department of Mental Health

The Missouri Department of Mental Health was first established as a cabinet-level state agency by the Omnibus State Government Reorganization Act, effective July 1, 1974. State law provides three principal missions for the department: (1) the prevention of mental disorders, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and compulsive gambling; (2) the treatment, habilitation, and rehabilitation of Missourians who have those conditions; and (3) the improvement of public understanding and attitudes about mental disorders, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and compulsive gambling. The seven-member Missouri Mental Health Commission, serves as the principal policy advisory body to the department director. The department is composed of three divisions: the Division of Behavioral Health, the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Administrative Services, as well as seven support offices. DMH serves approximately 170,000 Missourians annually through state-operated facilities and contracts with private organizations and individuals. The seven state-operated psychiatric facilities include inpatient psychiatric care for adults and children, as well as sex offender rehabilitation and treatment services. In addition, five habilitation centers and 6 regional offices serve individuals with developmental disabilities. Other services are purchased from a variety of privately operated programs statewide through approximately 1,300 contracts managed annually by DMH. MISSION Prevention, Treatment/Habilitation and Promotion of Public Understanding for Missourians with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and addictions. VISION Hope, Opportunity, Community Inclusion Missourians receiving mental health services will have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and live their lives as valued members of their communities. VALUES Community Inclusion Missourians who participate in mental health services are welcomed and equally included in education, work, housing, and social opportunities in their communities. Accessible, Safe, Affordable, and Integrated Services Missourians with mental health needs easily access safe, affordable, and integrated medical and behavioral services. Partners in Personal Service Design Missourians participating in mental health services are active partners in designing their services and supports. Effectiveness Measured by Participant Outcomes The effectiveness of Missouri’s mental health services is measured by meaningful outcomes experienced by the people receiving them. Valued and Motivated Staff Missourians receive mental health services from competent, motivated, and highly valued staff serving as effective stewards of the public trust. Prevention and Early Intervention Emphasizing prevention and early intervention strategies avoids or minimizes the mental health problems of Missourians. Respected Unique Participant Characteristics Missourians participating in mental health services are valued for their uniqueness and diversity and respected without regard to age, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic condition.