About Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center – Bangor
Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center is a state run mental health hospital in Bangor, Maine. Formerly known as the Bangor Mental Health Institute, it provides inpatient and outpatient treatment services to the public both voluntarily and by court order. It is one of two Maine state facilities that treat severe mental illness.
State run facilities can have the advantages of private care. Dorothea Dix’s state funding means they are equipped to treat severe forms of mental illness that smaller institutions may struggle with. They can also provide highly specialized treatments like electroconvulsive therapy.
One thing I really appreciate about Dorothea Dix is the size. When you think of state run facilities, you might imagine rows of inpatient beds. But this is a 51 bed facility. While not a small number, it’s hardly overwhelming, and they maintain the staff required to give each person the level of care they need.
Many hospitals in the state will refer you to Dorothea Dix if they recognize you will benefit most from their specialized care.