At the root of all we do at Hawthorn Children's Psychiatric Hospital, is our mission: to provide quality multidisciplinary treatment and mental health services to children and their families residing in Missouri who lack or have limited financial resources.
For a child suffering from a mental illness, the goal of treatment is to alleviate the acute symptoms as quickly as possible. Treatment also helps promote the development of skills and resources necessary for a child to return successfully to the community.
Located at 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue in St. Louis County on a 26-acre campus, Hawthorn is a children's psychiatric hospital that is owned and operated by the Missouri Department of Mental Health. It is the Department of Mental Health's only free-standing children's psychiatric hospital in Missouri and provides treatment services to youth who are residents of Missouri. Services are confidential and in full compliance with all federal and state privacy laws and it is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations.
Hawthorn Children's Psychiatric Hospital is located approximately 3 miles east of the inner belt (I-170) on Pennsylvania Avenue - about half way between Page Avenue and St. Charles Rock Road.
Hawthorn is proud of it's exceptional staff which include board certified psychiatrists, psychiatric fellows and residents, licensed psychologists and social workers, accredited recreational therapy staff, certified teachers, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, psychiatric aides, dietary staff, maintenance staff and security.
The Missouri Department of Mental Health believes that families are the most important partner on their child's treatment team. We pledge to respect the unique needs of each child and the unique strengths of each family. We strive to ensure that each child and family will be successful when discharged from Hawthorn.
Hawthorn works hard in hand with Department of Mental Health Community Mental Health Centers. These Centers advise us when one of their clients needs a Hawthorn admission. While at Hawthorn, staff from the Center participate in treatment staffing's and discharge planning. Upon Hawthorn discharge the child is transitioned back to the Community Mental Health Center for follow-up care.
Hawthorn Children's Psychiatric Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. This hospital encourages concerns regarding patient care and safety to be shared by consumers and the public. You may share your concerns by calling 314-512- 7609 . If hospital management does not respond to your satisfaction you may communicate with the Department of Mental Health at 1-800-364-9687 or email the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations or by phone at 1-800-994-6610.
In January 2023, HCPH recertified its continued use of the Sanctuary model, maintaining a sustainable community of mental health practitioners and support staff dedicated to both emotional intelligence and trauma-informed care to preserve the dignity and respect of all community members. For more information, please visit https://www.thesanctuaryinstitute.org/about-us/the-sanctuary-model/.
In March 2023, HCPH received the Silver Bell Seal from Mental Health America for its Workplace Mental Health. For more information, please visit https://www.mhanational.org/bestemployers.