Dell Children's Medical Center - Grace Grego Maxwell Mental Health Unit

“Looking at some of the lower ratings here, I honestly could not disagree more. I was sent here last week, and while I never wanted to end up in a mental health facility, the people here made all the difference. If anyone in the Austin area is looking for a place where they or someone they care about can genuinely receive support, this would absolutely be my top recommendation. The staff were incredibly kind, patient, and welcoming. The doctors, social workers, and psychiatrists were knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely seemed to care about helping every patient improve. As a teenager, one thing that stood out to me was how approachable many of the staff were. They were younger, relatable, and easy to talk to, which made me feel more comfortable and less out of place. The food was exactly what you would expect from hospital food, nothing amazing, but honestly, what do people expect? It was perfectly fine. The beds were simple and basic, but comfortable enough to sleep on, and I personally had no trouble sleeping throughout my stay. Yes, staff check on patients during the night with a dim light, but that is obviously for safety and not something worth complaining about. One of the biggest positives was that phone calls outside the hospital were always allowed, which made time feel easier and helped me stay connected. Visitors were allowed once a day for 30 plus minutes, and food or drinks from visitors were permitted, which made things feel more normal and comforting. They also provided sound machines and sleep aids like white noise boxes to help patients rest better. There were always activities available to make the days easier, movies, games, coloring books, and people to talk to. The sitters, meaning staff supervising the kids, were genuinely kind and always willing to listen, talk, or even put on a movie someone wanted to watch. Going outside was another huge positive. We had outdoor time with basketballs, soccer balls, and space to move around, which honestly helped mentally more than I expected. The daily routine was structured but simple. Most therapy sessions ran from about 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with breaks throughout the day. At least in my experience, sessions included listening to music chosen by everyone and connecting it to personal experiences, learning coping strategies and mental health skills, group discussions, and yoga, which personally was not my thing, but to each their own. Another thing worth mentioning is that the other patients were all teenagers, and for me at least, it was surprisingly calm. Nothing dramatic happened. It was honestly pretty chill, and it helped to be around people who understood what you were going through. At the end of the day, while no one wants to go to a mental health hospital, this place genuinely exceeded my expectations. Some people may complain about the food, beds, or routine, but realistically there is only so much that can be changed in a hospital setting. What mattered most to me was the people, and they were incredible. They made a hard experience feel safer, easier, and more hopeful. If I had to recommend a mental health facility in the Austin area, this would be the one.”

“I went in there for phycosis at the age of 13, it was pretty good but they had to shine a laser in your eyes at night it got pretty annoying but the people were nice but it scared me a lot for some reason but it was good! There was one nice woman with pink dreads as well! I loved her hair!”

“Please don't go to this Facility - they lie. About the treatment they're giving, my grandson is currently in there, he told me, it's noisy, he's only REALMALE in facility, this place reminds me of a holding prison Please Parents stay away from this Facility, anytime a facility doesn't provide photos of sleeping & eating areas - you know they're hiding something”

“Coming from someone who has previously visited Cross Creek, this place was fantastic. The staff are well-trained, the food is good, there are activities throughout the day, the setting is beautiful, and the other patients are great. I could go on. While mental healthcare still has a long way to improve, this place is one of, if not the best, options for it. 5/5 stars, give Dylan a raise.”