What to Bring

Packing List for Inpatient Stay

We want you or your loved one to feel as comfortable as possible during an inpatient stay at Southeast Behavioral Hospital. For that reason, we have prepared the recommended packing list below for all incoming patients to review before they arrive. If you or your loved one has questions about what to bring with them for an inpatient stay, please call our main line at 573-708-5000.

Personal belongings, including dentures, glasses, hearing aids, jewelry and money, will be checked by staff and some items may be removed for safety. These items will be inventoried and safely stored until the patient is discharged. We encourage patients to send home belongings that have special meaning or monetary value. The hospital will not be responsible for lost or stolen valuables. Reimbursement cannot be made for items lost during hospitalization.

All personal toiletry items, as well as skid-proof socks are provided by Southeast Behavioral Hospital. All linens are provided and laundered by Southeast Behavioral Hospital. Fresh linens are provided on a regular schedule or more often as requested for sanitary purposes. Patients should make their own beds daily and keep used towels and linens off the floor. Laundry facilities are available and may be used under staff supervision.

What to Bring

  • Three tops or shirts with no drawstrings or ties
  • Three bottoms (shorts, pants, skirts, etc.) with no drawstrings or ties
  • Underwire-free bra
  • Shoes or slippers without laces
  • Sweater or sweatshirt with no drawstrings or hoods
  • Medical devices required for health maintenance (such as hearing aids or a CPAP machine for sleep apnea)

What NOT to Bring

All patients have the right to a secure and healthy treatment environment, free from dangerous or potentially dangerous items. For the protection of all patients, staff and visitors, any prohibited items a patient brings with them will be confiscated, documented and held in a secure location until they are discharged.

Contraband items are defined as any implement that can be used in whole, part or broken to function as a weapon or otherwise pose a threat to injury. Staff will determine what is to be designated contraband. The following list contains examples:

  • Razor blades, straight razors and safety razors
  • Knives or any item that may be used as a knife
  • Inappropriate or revealing clothing
  • Firearms and ammunition
  • Cigarette lighters and matches
  • Medicine brought from home
  • Nail files and clippers
  • Scissors
  • Glass items except for eyeglasses
  • Mirrors (including make-up compacts)
  • Hair dryer and curling irons
  • Hooks, needles, pins, pens and pencils
  • Metal cans or breakable plastic items
  • Belts, shoestrings and draw strings from pants
  • Underwire bras
  • Rope, chains or other corded items
  • Large heavy jewelry
  • Shaving lotion, polish remover, caustic liquid, and mouthwash with alcohol
  • Aerosol cans
  • Alcohol and other illicit drugs
  • Any other items not listed that staff deems as contraband
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We are dedicated to serving the mental health needs of our patients. To find out how we can help you, call us at

573-708-5000