East Mississippi State Hospital
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A facility of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health
A mental illness is a health condition that causes a change in a person’s thinking, mood, or behavior. It is sometimes easy to forget that our brain, like our other organs, is vulnerable to disease. Mental illness is a health condition just like other illnesses. One in four people will need mental health services at some point in their life. One of the goals of East Mississippi State Hospital, is to remove the stigma of mental illness.
The Department of Mental Health is working toward a broad spectrum of recovery-oriented programs, including community support and family involvement. Many mental disorders and illnesses can be successfully treated without an individual going to a hospital. If hospitalization is required, East Mississippi State Hospital services 16 counties in this area, providing adult behavioral health services on the psychiatric units. This year, they are opening a “substance use disorder” program for adult males. Patients are admitted by court order for psychiatric treatment, so it doesn’t matter if you have insurance or money. This is an advantage over private facilities, because EMSH treats everyone and only discharges you when you are ready to be discharged.
EMSH includes two nursing homes open to the public. They are located on North Lakeland Drive near the old Eighth Street soccer fields. They accept Medicaid and are fully staffed, with each building designed for 120 beds.
In Newton and DeKalb, there are seven group homes in their Community Residential Services Division. 
These are for people that are transitioning from hospitalization back into public life. Clients cook meals, clean the house and take field trips. They receive life skills training; things that will ease you back into the public sector. Patients aren’t required to go there, but it is available.
The Mississippi State Legislature passed enabling legislation to establish East Mississippi State Hospital in 1882. The only other hospital was in Whitfield and they needed more capacity. Meridian was chosen as the site for the new hospital. The original building, constructed in 1884, is still in use for administrative offices, however it bears no resemblance to the original structure due to major remodeling. “In the last ten years, we have spent over $50 million on construction projects here in Meridian and will spend an additional $3.2 million next year on a new activities building including a gymnasium and classrooms. We have over 650 employees in Meridian and East Mississippi. Our annual budget is over $73 million for our East Mississippi services,” states Rick Entrekin, Director of Business Services. “We work with many vendors in East Mississippi, and we enjoy helping the economy by spending most of our budget locally. We belong to the chamber because we want to support local businesses and promote the growth and prosperity of the region.”
Due to advantages in treatment and medication, the average length of stay at EMSH has dramatically decreased to around 43 days. This has been possible due to the partnership with regional community Mental Health Centers. Mr. Entrekin adds, “We believe it is important to embrace new, innovative ideas. Our goal is to provide more services on an outpatient basis. We envision a better tomorrow where the lives of Mississippians are enriched through a health system that promotes excellence in the provision of services and support.”
East Mississippi State Hospital
1818 College Dr., Meridian, MS