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Behavioral Health at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center
2901 Squalicum Pkwy
Bellingham, WA 98225
Bellingham, WA 98225
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Our 20-bed inpatient unit, located on the main campus of PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, provides a healing and supportive environment for our patients in need of psychiatric care . We treat each patient with dignity and respect and are committed to promoting personal and community health.
We are licensed by the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington State Division of Mental Health.
Through the collaborative work of dedicated professionals, we provide comprehensive care for behavioral health clients in Whatcom County. This includes both treatment and referral services. We offer voluntary admissions, involuntary commitments and less-restrictive alternatives for the betterment and wellbeing of our patients.
Please note that we do not provide outpatient mental health services.
Voluntary Inpatient Admission Criteria
- Level of self-harm risk: Must be safe to be on a voluntary unit, not requiring 1:1 observation and able to contract for safety.
- Risk to others: Must be safe and appropriate for group milieu.
- Mental status: Patients who are cognitively impaired by delusional/paranoid thought processes, dementia, psychosis, neurological dysfunction or otherwise have barriers to active participation in group milieu may not be appropriate for this program.
- Medical status: Cannot have an unstable medical condition, nor one which would prevent active participation in the treatment program.
- Patient interest/motivation: Must be able to state willingness to participate fully in treatment program and adhere to unit policies.
If you believe that you meet the eligibility criteria or have any medical emergency, please come to the Emergency Department to proceed with a thorough assessment. Please note that the criteria for voluntary inpatient psychiatric hospitalization includes additional factors that the ED team will assess for appropriate placement and/or outpatient referrals.
Mental Health Unit/ Intensive/Program Admission Information
This unit treats adults on a voluntary or involuntary basis, who present an acute psychiatric illness requiring inpatient hospital treatment.
Note: Admissions must be referred by a physician, a mental health provider, or by the county triage system.
Services Include
- Psychiatric assessment, evaluation and treatment
- Occupational and recreational therapy assessment
- Individual and group therapy
- Social work assessment
- Discharge planning
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