Beacon Behavioral Hospital - Westbank

“It has been over a year since I was forcibly admitted to this mental hospital without my consent (why did nobody tell me that doctors could do this to someone). From the second I was strapped to an ambulance chair (that I waited 4 hours for patiently and I’ll never forget the amazing conversation about how the commission pay works for these private ambulances, they kinda like pay her hour so they don’t care about being fast AT ALL and basically told me that they would’ve gotten there SO MUCH FASTER if they got paid per ride anyways). The experience I had in there was so traumatic I’m shaking even writing this review plus writing what I just wrote. It’s a place that’s sole purpose is to convince you that you ARE crazy and that you need to take PILLS. I’ll never forget the first morning I was there and a nurse called for everyone to take their medicine (given there was a lot of elderly people there so I didn’t think much of it) until they called my name. I walked up and politely told the nurse that I don’t take any medicine (which was the truth) and he look at me and said “you’re sure?” I declined again and he looked at me and said I was a liar. He then pointed at his paperwork that listed about 5 drugs that were prescribed to me by a doctor I had met not even 5 hours prior during a voluntary admission for mental evaluation. I was absolutely terrified. I said no again and he said okay and I sat down and drank coffee with two extremely lovely elderly ladies that might saved my sanity in this decrepit place. Long story short Ik it’s already a long read but I think I’ve raised my blood pressure enough for this evening. I was gaslight into believing I was bipolar and needed to take some of the most liver destroying medicine you can take and that would make everything feel better but it didn’t. Relationships destroyed. Trauma for a lifetime. Wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”

“So I'll start off by saying the best Techs I had was Quanitha and Marlene. Yall made my stay a little easier, Thank you. Anyways, I did not ask to come here and held here for 8 days straight. I thought as America's we had freewill. I was held here without my authority for 8 days. I couldn't call my husband until I arrived at this place. It was a dreadful and life changing experience. I have met the most beautiful people yet some of these people came here like I did. 10 min phone calls and dirty showers. I have never seen people talk to themselves in my life until I came to this place. There was people WHO NEEDED TO BE THERE! Other than me. Just wasting space. Do better Louisiana. This is weird as hell. I'm from Jersey and I do not want to EVER experience something like this EVERRRRRR again.”

“Experience was rancid, all the windows are blocked out, you have only a hallway, your room, and a day room. Staff are bullies, 1 nurse actually cares for the patients while the rest will let you suffer, I had a fever of 104.6 w/ pneumonia and they wouldn't let me go to a real hospital, food is dangerous (undercooked raw and sharp bones) lastly nothing to do but sleep, pace the hall or watch TV. Do not recommend ever sending someone here. Would give 0 stars if I could”

“I was admitted to this place last year in the adult program because im 18 and was going through a mixed episode(i’m bipolar). I knew it would only get worse so i went to the hospital trying to help myself and find a quick temporary medication (like an antiphycotic) because my psychiatrist was out of town. The hospital gave me zyprexa which calmed me down because of how irritated i was and fyi i did not harm myself or anyone else i was NOT a threat. I was numbed up on those pills and signed the form they wanted to admit me so when i got there i was absolutely in shock. they gave me more pills which calmed me down and I’ve been to 2 other hospitals before that from depression/suicidal thoughts but i was genuinely trying to help myself and wait for my psychiatrist to get back. Well first off the place reeked and was so dirty. The nurses did not care about anyone whatsoever. Trust me i am not an angry person or hate complaining but i was the youngest there, the floors were sticky from this guy always peeing everywhere and shitting his pants, he tried following me to my room which was the opposite hall of his and i calmly told the tech he was creeping me out and don’t know why he did that. The guy just said he’s nonverbal violent schizophrenic and i mean like that’s scary but i’m not gonna judge or anything but it kinda made me feel uneasy especially him staring and trying to follow me to my room like hello? i was honestly chill there but this other guy grabbed me and kissed me on the check for no reason whatsoever but i didn’t even feel the need to say anything because those techs genuinely didn’t care. i’m not picky with food but im not even gonna lie it was repulsive and i had to beg for crackers because i physically couldn’t eat so i only ate 1 pack of crackers every meal. they didn’t clean the floors they stunk of pee and had no supervision, no therapy, literally nothing. I just felt trapped. The doctors there did not care at all trust me i’ve been through many mental professionals and im pretty smart with dealing with emotions. Well i calmly expressed to the group meeting with all the doctors about how she changed ALL of my meds . i went into detail on why that’s not a good idea ive been through so many and honestly i was just having a bump in the road and rather take something short term at the hospital then get it figured out with my personal doctor. She didn’t listen. I was so frustrated because she had no empathy put me on at least 10 new meds, and i felt drugged and ended up gaining 22 pounds. I didn’t cause any trouble they just kept making excuses to keep me there longer because they probably wanted the money. my mom saw how i was there she called tons of lawyers trying to get me out because they either didn’t answer the phone or refused to let me go. I never thought any mental hospital could be like that. it wasn’t just me either everyone was shocked after i left 4 days but the only reason they let me out earlier was because my mom fought to get me out and they released me. I went straight to my psychiatrist afterwards and she immediately changed my meds back to what they were so i basically had to start over because meds obviously dont kick in right away. Please read and believe my advice if you ever feel u need to get help at a hopsital i wouldn’t let them transfer you because they just choose the closest one that is available. No hospital is fun and perfect but this place is absolutely terrible and i’m still shocked a mental facility could be that bad. do not go here please”