Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene

“I went through the long and emotionally draining intake and evaluation process because my son genuinely needs help. After completing everything they asked for, I have been unable to get an appointment or even a return phone call. I’ve left messages and followed up, and no one calls back. I am currently waiting for the director to call back, but not holding my breath. When families finally reach out for mental health support—especially for children—being ignored is unacceptable. The lack of communication and follow-through has been incredibly frustrating and discouraging. At this point, I’m disgusted by how difficult it has been to get basic help after jumping through all the required hoops. Families deserve better responsiveness and care than this. Update: I was contacted by the director in Mayville, who personally reached out and scheduled an appointment for my son. I truly appreciate her time and kindness. To give context: I originally called in November 2024 trying to get an intake appointment and eventually gave up after months without success. I called again in summer 2025, did experience phone tag once, but again never got through so I once again stopped trying. I finally reached a live person in December, after over a year of attempting to access services. I honestly assumed no one would ever call me back after the evaluation was complete. While I’m grateful the director intervened and helped, the overall intake and communication process was extremely difficult and discouraging for a parent seeking care for their child. I also want to note that children like my son are different in that traditional counseling is not appropriate for him—he would not understand or benefit from it. Because of this, the process is more complex than simply assigning a counselor and later referring to a psychiatrist. Delays and communication breakdowns make accessing appropriate care especially difficult for families in situations like ours. I hope changes can be made to improve access and communication. I have spoken with many other special needs parents who don’t even attempt to seek help anymore because the process is so discouraging. This review has nothing to do with any providers themselves—I am sure they are all wonderful people. The difficulty lies in reaching the office and navigating the intake process, not in the care professionals once contact is made.”

“Truly horrible place. I wouldn't recommend going here to anyone for therapy. I had been going here for about a year or so & everything was good right up until I couldnt get into their office right away which they knew id recently had a change of living arrangement and no longer had access to "our" vehicle to just run right up there when they wanted me to. I never heard from the nurse or my therapist again & was left to ween myself off my meds for depression & anxiety!! Not very professional in my opinion. And people wonder why we have such a problem with mental health in this area...look at what they do to people they are supposed to be helping, its disgusting!! Do better.”

“I enjoy the counselors I've always had there at city hall never was I treated unfairly. I've always was given great advice along with the coping skills with certain things I was going through. My newer counselor there now she goes above and beyond for me and just an easy going person that has never judged me from my past she had her own personal connection to me and just was always there to listen even when she didn't have to be you rock u know who u r lady”

“The employees here have a lot of problems respecting private property Have had multiple issues in my neighborhood of these people having to be told to leave One was trying to pressure me into letting her come over”