Where do I even start? Buckle up — this is honest and long.
There are pros and cons to everything in life, and what you focus on is what you’ll find. Mental health care is no exception. Some things were genuinely helpful, some frustrating, and a few downright questionable. I’ll cover it all.
First, huge shoutout to my favorite person there, Brandy — absolute legend, deserves a raise, extra time off, maybe a promotion if she wants. Also, provider Brock, social workers Lisa and Seth, the guitar-playing gentleman, and two young women with glasses — one ran a painting group, the other helped move unit 300 around, she had pink/purple hair. I’ll explain why each gets a shoutout later.
Within the first 10 minutes, staff seemed cluttered, understaffed, and overwhelmed. I came seeking mental health resources and ended up institutionalized after hours in a bland, uncomfortable room — honestly terrifying. I was due at work soon and had to rely on friends/family to show up for me — what about those without support?
The assessment nurse was incredibly kind, letting me sort things out, though she seemed a bit frenzied. Later, the physician told me my form said I wanted to kill myself — which I never did. Frustrating and upsetting.
Staff let me keep a pen out in the open for over a day while journaling and signing forms. Only the physician noticed — understandable, but how did no one else catch it?
Sanitation was a problem. Blood was on the toilet seat in my units bathroom, chips stayed on the floor for days, milk expired (you could smell it), and pillowcases had stains. Showers flooded bathroom floors, and the ice/water machine dripped constantly. Gym access was limited, and going outside was restricted because we couldn’t go out with the smokers.
Food was often bad, floors sticky, trash overflowing. Dietary restrictions were ignored, and staff could be hostile when asking for substitutions. Family and friends had a hard time getting ahold of us via phone. Most staff seemed unaware of what was happening, sometimes rude or unhelpful, and one patient clearly on the wrong unit created chaos and safety issues — her paperwork mishap could have endangered others.
Now, the positives: Brandy was absolutely amazing — attentive, caring, funny, and made the stay bearable. She was on it every minute and helpful 100% of the time! I felt genuinely cared for when she was there.
Brock, the provider, is another standout at this facility. I met with him every day, and he was patient, attentive, and professional — even with other patient… distractions, lol. I felt heard, validated, and never judged, even while addressing awkward topics that were hard for me to talk about. He let me fully express myself without interruption, explained my diagnosis and the characteristics of them, went over meds, etc. — detailed in a way I appreciated. And by God, easy on the eyes too! 😅
The social workers (though some missed groups, leaving us with extra downtime) made sessions meaningful if you participate. Playing guitar with the young man reignited a long-lost passion — I was very grateful for his trust. Lisa was upfront, honest, and thoughtful, bringing treats, and Seth’s patience and wisdom didn’t go unnoticed either.
These few staff members, plus a handful more, are keeping it from being a 1-star experience, so treat them well and don’t lose them.
In a nutshell: expect a 5–7 day stay (weekends don’t count). I would NOT return for inpatient. But outpatient is ok. To the staff who went above and beyond, you made a real difference and inspired me to continue my mental health career.
Everyone else… maybe reconsider your career path.
With love,
VF
