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1. What is mental illness?

Mental illness is a medical condition which affects the brain and can cause a chemical imbalance. Mental illness can affect a person's thoughts, moods, and emotions; how they relate to others; and their ability to manage daily tasks.

2. What are the most common types of mental illness?

Some of the most common types of mental illness and examples of mental health diagnoses include:
Mood disorders: Major depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, seasonal affective disorder;
Anxiety disorders: Panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias;
Psychotic disorders: Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder; and
Personality disorders: Borderline, antisocial, avoidant, dependent, histrionic, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive, paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal.

3. What are some of the most effective treatments for mental illness?

Individuals with mental illness are more likely to be successful in managing their symptoms when they participate in a combination of services. Examples of these services may include psychiatric medication management, therapy, and other services which offer social support and focus on recovery.

4. What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

A psychiatrist has a medical degree and is qualified to diagnose and prescribe medications for the treatment of mental illness. A psychologist generally provides therapy and/or diagnostic services, including psychological testing and diagnostic assessment, to individuals with mental illness.

5. What is a psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse?

A psychiatric APRN is a licensed registered nurse who is trained in the field of psychiatry and certified as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner. A psychiatric APRN is qualified to diagnose and prescribe medications for the treatment of mental illness.

6. What type of program is Blue Earth County Mental Health Center and how is it staffed?

Blue Earth County Mental Health Center is a Rule 29 Mental Health Center licensed by the State of Minnesota to provide clinical services in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. Clinical staff include mental health professionals licensed in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, advance practice registered nursing, licensed marriage and family therapy, clinical social work. Mental health practitioners provide clinical services under the supervision of a mental health professional.

7. What is the SCCBI Psychiatric Services Hub?

The "Hub" is a service, offered in partnership with Blue Earth County Mental Health Center and the 10-County South Central Community Based Initiative, which was developed to provide psychiatric medication management services to adults within this 10-county region. Psychiatric services are available to eligible adults with mental illness from Blue Earth County and to eligible adults with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) from the SCCBI (10-county) region.

8. What counties are included in the South Central Community Based Initiative (SCCBI)?

The SCCBI region includes the counties of: Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault-Martin, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Rice, Sibley, and Watonwan.

9. How are referrals to Blue Earth County Mental Health Center made?

Referrals to request services are made by contacting Blue Earth County Mental Health Center at (507) 304-4319. Referral forms and information are also available on our website.

10. How are services through Blue Earth County Mental Health Center paid?

Mental health services are billed to individual health plans, including Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare. Most major health insurance plans are accepted. Individuals without insurance pay privately, and a sliding fee for services is available to individuals who meet the eligibility and income guidelines.

11. Where is the Blue Earth County Mental Health Center located?

Blue Earth County Mental Health Center is located on the second floor of the Blue Earth County Government Center, 410 South Fifth Street, Mankato, MN.

12. What are some of the housing alternatives for individuals with mental illness?

Many individuals with mental illness live independently in the community. Alternatives for individuals who need additional housing support include board-and-lodge facilities, adult foster care homes, and supportive housing programs.

13. What are Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS)?

IRTS are time-limited mental health services offered in a residential setting to adults with mental illness. These programs are often owned and operated by private agencies.

14. What are Community Behavioral Health Hospitals (CBHHs)?

CBHHs are 16-bed hospitals which provide acute care psychiatric services to adults with mental illness. These facilities are operated by Minnesota State Operated Services.

15. What are Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS)?

ARMHS services are designed to assist adults with mental illness to be mentally stable and to live in the community successfully. Service goals may include symptom management, medication education, relapse prevention, interpersonal communication, and developing skills in the areas of transportation, use of community resources, household and personal management, and employment.

16. What services are offered by South Central Crisis Center and where is it located?

South Central Crisis Center offers the following services to adults experiencing a mental health crisis: Residential Crisis Services: Short-term 24-hour care which includes crisis assessment and intervention, problem-solving and short-term counseling, medication supports, symptom management, relapse prevention, and family education and support. Non-Residential Crisis Services: Mental health assessments, short-term stabilization, problem-solving, counseling, and referrals. 24-Hour Crisis/Warm Line: Crisis support, information, and problem-solving. Mobile Crisis Services: Community crisis assessment and stabilization services. These services are currently available with limited hours and regions. 

South Central Crisis Center

2100 Bassett Drive

Mankato, MN 56001

(507) 344-0621 or 1-800-877-399-3040

South Central Crisis Center