About Northeast Florida State Hospital – Macclenny
Northeast Florida State Hospital is on South State Road 121 in Macclenny, Florida 35 miles west of Jacksonville. This state owned hospital has 613 beds and provides inpatient psychiatric care for clients committed to the hospital by the state or through the criminal justice system. The hospital accepts adults 18 and older whose needs can’t be met through treatment in a community based program.
Only five miles from the historical Heritage Park, the hospital provides treatment to adults involved in the criminal justice system (AFMH clients) who also have a mental illness. The program provides evaluation, assessment, and treatment to clients who are deemed not guilty due to insanity or who are incompetent and can’t proceed with criminal proceedings.
The forensic mental health program provides general psychiatric treatment. Additionally, there are specialized services, including substance abuse awareness and prevention. There are also special treatment modules that include anger management, competency, and mental health awareness.
Many clients in this program have substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health challenges. The program treats both, though most people admitted to the hospital have a primary diagnosis of a mental illness.
Treatment may include occupational therapies and sexually transmitted disease education and prevention. Clients also receive comprehensive medical and dental services while in the hospital.
It’s notable that though some clients present security issues, the team strives to treat them with dignity and respect and in the least restrictive manner possible while ensuring the safety of the community and the other clients.