St. Louis Forensic Treatment Center

07/14/2025

Forensic Treatment Center History:
The Library in the Dome Building

When you come in the Main Entrance of the Dome Building, (5400 Arsenal) you are greeted with towering ceilings, a classical rotunda, and glimpses of historical artifacts on the walls. The Dome Conference Center, originally a gymnasium that was added to the Dome Building in the 1920s, offers a place for trainings, seminars, and other events. Some Department of Mental Health employees still work in the building; the building has been continuously in use for 156 years.
If you travel to the basement level of the Dome Building, you’re greeted with the lowest rotunda. A sloping hall leads downwards from the Rotunda towards a unique feature of the Dome Building: The Library.
The Library in the Dome Building became the library of the Missouri Institute of Psychiatry (MIP), later called the Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH). It functioned as a collaboration between the University of Missouri, MIMH, and our facility. The library provided access to the latest research for clinicians, but also supported the training and education of all the specialties on the campus, including music therapists, social workers, pastoral care, recreation therapists, medical and surgical units, psychiatric nursing, and much more.
The MIMH Library was one of the largest, if not the largest, mental health library in the United States during its time. While budget cuts forced its closure in the early 2000s, much of the library remains in the Dome Building. It is now located in the old Employee Dining Room.
The current list suggests that there are roughly 28,000 items in the library. Eventually, each of these items will be fully cataloged and added to a searchable database for use by researchers, historians, and the Department of Mental Health.
A list of the items in the Library can be accessed through the Archive’s website. If you are interested in a particular item, an appointment to view the item can be made with the archivist, Andrea Knobeloch, through email at andrea.knobeloch@dmh.mo.gov.

07/04/2025

06/30/2025

We are seeking an experienced Nurse Manager to fill our Chief Nurse Executive position!
Apply Now at: mocareers.mo.gov https://mocareers.mo.gov/hiretrue/ce3/job-board/5effe9b2-4b89-494b-ac76-c45e25190768/c94f3851-ae73-4b9d-920d-65ffe7fa845d?jb=1

06/19/2025

State offices are closed today in recognition of Federal holiday Juneteenth.

06/10/2025

Applications for disaster assistance through FEMA are now being accepted for the St. Louis area for anyone that was impacted by the May 16, 2025 EF3 tornado. Please take a look at the FEMA site to apply.

The President has approved a major disaster declaration to help individuals and homeowners in Missouri affected by the May 16 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding recover.

Learn more about how to apply for assistance: FEMA.gov/disaster/4877

06/06/2025

On May 16, a devastating tornado tore through parts of St. Louis County and City. It was especially damaging to North St. Louis, leaving behind a wide swath of destruction and loss.
The St. Louis Forensic Treatment Center's North Campus was in that path.

While no serious damage was caused to the facility or its clients, forty-four staff members were impacted by the tornado through trauma and financial losses.
• Ten families lost their homes and are currently displaced.
• The devastation is affecting the lives of at least seven children.
• Some of these families are paying for hotels out-of-pocket. The city has not been able to assess their home, so they don’t qualify for hotel vouchers.
• Twelve staff members’ cars were damaged, some beyond repair, while they were working.
• Some families were safe in their homes, but the electricity was out for days and longer. After more than three days without power, many were forced to throw away many of the items in their refrigerator.
• Eight families lost their homes, their cars, and many of their personal belongings.

Let's give a helping hand and relieve some of the stress and financial burden for these families.

To do this, FTC is hosting a fundraiser, Giving Tree for Tornado Relief. The fundraiser will last through the month of June.

Our Employees are encouraged to help by either making an online donation, or taking a giving tree ornament and filling that need.

How can members of the community help? :

You can make an online donation using this link: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLERZWJ9Q2ZC5/checkout/RQLDTCQIV2EYTBICDRCZUFQW

Your donation will be used to purchase a gift card for a family. In the Required* box, please put an NA in the box.

06/06/2025

FTC Employees - Don't forget to join in the fun next week by dressing up for DMH Appreciation Theme Week!

06/04/2025

SEEK SHELTER NOW!
A Tornado Warning has been issued for the City of St. Louis until 3:30 PM
Stay indoors and move to the lower floors of the building. Face away from windows, doors, corners, and outside walls. Refer to local media sources for additional information and notification that the storm has passed your location before leaving your shelter space.

05/20/2025

📢 Public Safety Notice

The City of St. Louis Fire Department will conduct a siren test today at 3:00 p.m. Please be advised that this is only a test.

✅ No action is required.
🔊 Do not be alarmed.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

05/20/2025

Stay safe and listen for emergency updates.

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for the City of St. Louis until 3 AM.

Stay aware of changing conditions and additional watches and warnings. Be prepared to take shelter immediately when prompted. Make sure you have a portable radio, preferably a NOAA Weather Radio, for weather alerts and updates. Seek shelter in the lowest level of your home, such as a basement or storm cellar. If you don't have a basement, go to an inner hallway, a smaller inner room or a closet. Keep away from all windows and glass doorways.

A Tornado Watch means Be Prepared! Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives!

05/14/2025

May is Mental Health Awareness Month
The purpose of Mental Health Awareness Month is to raise awareness and educate the public about: mental illnesses, such as the 18.1% of Americans who suffer from depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder; the realities of living with these conditions; and strategies for attaining mental health and wellness. It also aims to draw attention to su***de, which can be precipitated by some mental illnesses. Additionally, Mental Health Awareness Month strives to reduce the stigma (negative attitudes and misconceptions) that surrounds mental illnesses.

05/07/2025

Governor Kehoe orders Capitol Dome lighted green in recognition of and . Read news release https://ow.ly/V1py50VOu0U
Mental Health matters today, and every day!