Department of State Hospitals

The Department of State Hospitals (DSH) manages the California state hospital system, which provides mental health services to patients admitted into DSH facilities. The department strives to provide effective treatment in a safe environment and in a fiscally responsible manner.

DSH oversees five state hospitals – Atascadero, Coalinga, Metropolitan (in Los Angeles County), Napa and Patton.

All facilities are fully licensed by the California Department of Public Health, and must regularly meet or exceed regulatory standards to continue providing care.

DSH was created by Governor Jerry Brown's 2012-13 Budget, which eliminated the Department of Mental Health by transferring its various functions to other departments.

In fiscal year 2018-2019, the department employed nearly 13,000 staff and served 11,752 patients in a 24/7 hospital system.

Patients admitted to DSH are mandated for treatment by a criminal or civil court judge. More than 90 percent of our patients are forensic commitments. These patients are sent to DSH through the criminal court system and have committed or have been accused of committing crimes linked to their mental illness.

In addition to forensic commitments, DSH treats patients who have been classified by a judge or jury as Sexually Violent Predators. These patients have served prison sentences for committing crimes enumerated under the Sexually Violent Predator Act (Welfare and Inst. Code Sections 6600 et. al.). They are committed to DSH for treatment until a judge deems they are no longer a threat to the community.

The remainder of the department’s population has been committed in civil court for being a danger to themselves or others. These patients are commonly referred to as Lanterman-Petris-Short commitments.