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Mental Health Center
What We Do - Mission/Vision
The Blue Earth County Mental Health Center is committed to improving the mental health of our community through accessible, compassionate and affordable services.
Welcome, We're Here to Help
The Blue Earth County Mental Health Center is a true community safety net, serving approximately 1500+ patients each year. The Center features a multidisciplinary team including psychiatric providers, therapists, nurses, and many other specialized team members to meet the needs of those we serve.
The main purposes of the center are the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses. The center focuses on two core programs, Psychiatry and Therapy along with a strong emphasis on Medication Management. There is a strong emphasis on those with serious and persistent mental illnesses. These may include, among other diagnoses, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorders, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder.
Our staff is dedicated to serving the mental health needs of the community and is here to answer any questions you may have.
To schedule an appointment or to speak to a nurse, please call 507-304-4319.
Who We Serve
The Blue Earth County Mental Health Center is located in Mankato however, its psychiatric service area includes the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault-Martin, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Rice, Sibley, and Watonwan. These counties make up the South Central Community Based Initiative (SCCBI) region.
The SCCBI was established in 1995 by the Minnesota Legislature. In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, and in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the SCCBI was established for the purpose of significantly improving availability and access to a comprehensive array of community-based mental health services. For more information about the SCCBI see their website www.sccbi.info. Psychiatry services are available to those residing in the SCCBI counties. Therapy services are available to the residents of Blue Earth County. BECMHC primarily provides services to adults however we do provide some therapy for children, as provider availability allows.
How to Find Us - Location
The Blue Earth County Mental Health Center is located on the second floor within the county Government Center. There are two options. Enter through Door A on 5th street and proceed to the second floor via the elevator or stairs. The most direct access is through Door F at the top of the parking ramp with the entrance on 4th street. There is ample visitor parking available near both doors.
- Phone: (507) 304-4319 | Fax: (507) 304-4160
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
- Address: 410 S. Fifth Street, Mankato, MN
Psychiatric services are structured visits for treatment of an individual’s mental illness. Psychiatric services are provided by a medical doctor or advanced practice nurse. Often, medications are prescribed, and monitoring visits occur, on average, once every three months. Each person’s needs will vary. Psychiatric consultation services are available.
- Psychiatric Evaluation - Psychiatric evaluation is a medical evaluation to identify a person’s mental health diagnosis and need for ongoing psychiatric or mental health services.
- Medication Management - Prescription of psychiatric medications and monitoring of an individual’s response to medications.
- Urgent Care - Psychiatric assessment and medication management to address an individual’s imminent mental health needs. Appointments can often occur within a few days once requested.
- Nursing Services - Support and assistance for individuals receiving psychiatric services. Includes nursing assessment, medication reconciliation, refill authorizations, medication set ups, and injections.
Therapy services are planned and structured treatment of an individual’s mental illness. Therapy services are provided using various psychological methods to meet the needs of the individual by providing direct and measurable treatment. Therapy services are available to Blue Earth County residents.
- Diagnostic Assessment (Adult/Child) – Evaluation to identify an individual’s psychological, emotional and behavioral issues and to determine their eligibility for ongoing mental health services.
- Therapy – Individual – One-to-one counseling to assist individuals with resolving problems, setting personal goals, and developing skills which assist individuals to overcome mental health difficulties.
- Therapy – Couples & Family – Services designed to resolve personal and interpersonal problems and to address the impact of mental health difficulties on relationships.
- Group Therapy (Adults) – Services which assist individuals to address their mental health difficulties with others in a group setting, with a focus on recovery and peer support.
Most health insurance plans along with Medicare, Medical Assistance, Minnesota Care and other third party payments are accepted. Individuals without insurance pay privately, and a sliding fee scale for services is available to individuals who meet the eligibility and income guidelines. For more information about the cost of care, insurance, or sliding fee, please call (507) 304-4319.
When you call to seek assistance, the Social Worker will assist you in connecting to services. This will include a 10-15 minute phone call to discuss your mental health needs and the services you are interested in. The Social Worker will ask you about your current symptoms and concerns. Information from previous mental health providers will be requested as well.
A Welcome packet will be mailed to you. It includes a variety of information for you to review. The Social Worker will work with you to gather the necessary information to initiate services. Once the intake is completed, an initial visit will be scheduled for you.