
South Dakota’s State Psychiatric Hospital
Patient Programs
Patient Services
Welcome to South Dakota HSC
At HSC, we strive to provide a secure, therapeutic environment for patients and visitors. If you have additional visitor questions beyond the visitor guidelines, please reach out.
HSC Communications Desk: 605-668-3100
Admissions Office/Main Desk: 605-668-3138 or 605-668-3139
Visitor Guidelines
Directions to HSC
The South Dakota Human Services Center is located on Highway 81, approximately 1/2 mile north of the Highway 50 and Highway 81 intersection on the north edge of Yankton. In that area, HSC is the only driveway on the west side of Highway 81. HSC is located directly across from the Wilson Trailer Company.
Upon entering the campus, visitors will see a circular cul-de-sac around a flagpole. Located near the flagpole is the main entrance to the HSC Administration Building. The Communications Center receptionist is located just inside the front entrance and can assist with visitor registration.
The campus has a 15-mph speed limit, with additional posted traffic and parking regulations. Parking is provided, for visitors’ convenience, near the main front door of the Administration building. Visitors are asked to remove the keys from vehicles and lock the vehicle.
HSC accepts no responsibility for loss of valuables, accidents or injury to visitors.
Entry Requirements
Upon entering the facility, visitors are required to report to the Communications Center, which is located at the main front door of the Administration Building. Visitors will register with the receptionist for each visit. The receptionist will also assist visitors with signing a required confidentiality statement and a hold harmless agreement. The treatment area will be notified of visitors’ arrival.
Visitor Identification & Badges
All visitors over the age of 18 are required to show photo identification. A visitors identification badge will be issued and must be worn at all times during the visit. If you lose your badge, please report it to staff immediately. Visitors will return the badge to the receptionist before leaving HSC.
Personal Items
HSC provides lockers to store personal items prior to entering treatment areas. Visitors may prefer to lock personal items in vehicles. For patient confidentiality and safety, the following items may not be brought to HSC:
- - Weapons of any kind or anything that could be used as a weapon
- - Cameras, cellular phones, or other recording devices
- - Matches or lighters
- - Alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, tobacco products, and over the counter, herbal or prescription medications
For safety reasons, please check with the unit staff before bringing any items since treatment units may have other restrictions for patient safety.
By state law, HSC is designated as a tobacco free campus.
Outside Items for Patients
To maximize the treatment environment and for safety reasons, visitors are asked to please obtain staff approval before giving any item to a patient. All items brought into HSC for patients will go through Patient Services before going to the unit. This allows items to be added to the patient’s inventory of belongings.
Clothing
New clothing may be tried on by the patient then returned to Patient Services for marking.
Money
Gifts of cash for patients should be presented to the Admissions Office for deposit into the patient’s account. This promotes safe handling of money and allows patients to access the monetary gifts.
Food & Drinks
For safe handling, food that is brought needs to be in the original package, or a sealed plastic container, that can be stored in a locked area. Prepared food (fast food, pizza, etc.) can be brought to HSC for the patient if approved by the treatment unit. HSC is a caffeine-free facility. Any beverages brought into the facility must be caffeine-free. Due to limited space, please limit deliveries to a maximum of one caffeine-free six-pack of pop/juice brought in at a time.
Mail & Phone Calls
Most patients enjoy receiving mail. Please address cards and letters to:
SD Human Services Center
"Patient’s Name", "Treatment Unit" (if known)
PO Box 7600, Yankton, SD 57078-7600
Special delivery companies may require a street address. In those cases, use the address "3515 Broadway Avenue."
Patients often welcome telephone calls. Most patients can receive brief calls, preferably between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 pm. To telephone patients, dial 605-668-3100.
Read more about HSC’s history, services and the Mental Health Memo, written by our team.