Directions for Mental Health Care, Inc.

Website
www.directionsmh.org
History

Directions for Mental Health is a private nonprofit community mental health organization incorporated in 1982, which evolved from clinics dating back to 1946. Our prevention, early intervention and treatment programs serve the mental health needs of children, families, adults and seniors from our main facility in Clearwater, second office in Largo, and outreach programs throughout upper Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay area of west central Florida.

More than 78,000 direct service hours a year help over 5,000 people to improve parenting skills, modify behaviors, overcome emotional trauma, control debilitating disorders, avoid full-time residential care or hospitalization, and achieve greater emotional health and independence through a broad-based, holistic approach to care.

Mission

Our MISSION is to improve the quality of life of individuals, families and our community by providing a wide variety of high quality services for all ages, ranging from the prevention of problems to the effective treatment of mental illness.

Our VISION is to be an outstanding behavioral health organization characterized by high consumer satisfaction, demonstrated effectiveness of services, and innovation. We intend to be an indispensable asset to our community and our neighbors.

Our VALUES address expectations of the organization toward its staff and clients. Also, our expectations of the conduct of our staff's business are made explicit. A Code of Ethics governs the conduct of our Board of Directors. A separate Code of Ethics is received by and acknowledged by our staff and other volunteers. Our principles are to:

  • • Provide needed service in the least restrictive environment possible. This is why we focus so much energy on outreach programs, and so many of our services prevent the need for residential treatment.
  • • Strengthen and preserve families
  • • Engage in consumer-based planning. A plan of treatment is a partnership, explicitly developed with our clients.
  • • Commit to the long-range viability of the organization. A strategic planning and careful budgeting process means that we have demonstrated superior stability and steady growth over nearly two decades, and we intend this to continue.
  • • Provide holistic services, not just traditional treatment but prevention programs and strength-based family supports which enhance the well being of individuals, families and our community.

Long recognized as a leader in non-residential care of the seriously ill, recent developments have focused on prevention and early intervention programs to impact children, families, and neighborhoods. While some of Directions services are subject to referral, or are restricted to a specific population, most are available to the general public within our service area.

Outpatient Services
1437 South Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33764
727-524-4464
Emergency Services
Contact PEMHS or the Family Emergency Treatment Center