Mercy Behavioral Health - St. Louis

“I was recently a patient on the Behavioral Health Unit at Mercy and I’m very grateful for the care I received. From the moment I was admitted, the staff treated me with kindness, respect, and patience during one of the hardest times in my life. The nurses and techs checked on me regularly, listened when I needed to talk, and never made me feel like a burden. The doctors took my concerns seriously, explained things clearly, and involved me in decisions about my treatment instead of talking over me.I also want to recognize the Emergency Room staff at Mercy. They treated my mental health as just as important as my physical health, spoke to me with respect, and made sure I felt safe and heard from the very beginning. The ER rooms were clearly set up with mental health in mind and felt safe and appropriate for people in crisis, which made a scary situation so much easier to handle. I also want to give a special shoutout to the kitchen staff. The menu was beyond amazing, with food that actually tasted good and gave us something to look forward to each day. It made a huge difference to feel cared for in that way too. The unit itself felt safe and structured, with routines and groups that helped instead of just passing time. I always felt like someone was available if I needed support. No hospital stay is easy, but this team made a really hard experience feel manageable and gave me hope again. I would recommend Mercy’s Behavioral Health Unit to anyone who is struggling and needs a place to stabilize and start healing.”

“I was forced into this facility and the psychiatrist had later said I should of never been put into it in the first place. I experienced something I didn't need to if I was evaluated correctly. When I arrived the staff did not care about how I was feeling, I asked to speak with one of the nurses crying because of how I felt and was told essentially “thats just how it is”. Their isn't any therapy activities besides passing a ball to tell your thoughts around or going to a “gym”. I had went to a facility in a different city that genuinely cared about their patients and had different rooms and different activities for the patients and was a MUCH better experience. The brushes are impossible to brush with so you end up loosing a pound of hair aswell. Food was okay so they get two stars for that. I would never recommend this facility for anyone seeking help and I wish I didnt have to be forced into this cold environment during the most venerable state I was in.”

“I'm a mental health crisis 1st responder. I was assaulted in their ER for asking for help after being assaulted. I will be suing. Report bad care to DHHS, they have an IG who polices them... report to your insurance company ( I did), and law enforcement if it rises to the level of life-endangering. It's the only way to teach people that they have a legal duty to do no harm. Also file QuiTam charges so that our tax dollars do not support illegal behavior and fraud. I worked in hospitals. If anyone had done the things that I've seen lately, they'd lose their license and be incarcerated.”

“I have quite a bit of experience in behavioral health - both as an employee and as a patient. Despite the cons listed below, this is a 4+ star facility for the treatment they provide, compared to my experience with other programs. I'm giving it 5 stars here because the review doesn't allow half stars, so I'm rounding up. First the pros: * The intake dept at the hospital for BH is on a walk in basis which makes it easy to get care exactly when needed. * The psychiatrist Dr. Qaisrani spent nearly 45 min assessing my concerns on my first day inpatient, then spent considerable time each day helping create a collaborative treatment plan with me and my spouse. * Many of the nurses and other staff really cared about patients. * Therapy groups are mostly helpful with good information. * Social workers are diligent about following up with family for discharge planning. * The inpatient unit has daily visiting hours from 4-5pm. * Patients can choose their meals from several options for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is usually eggs, bacon, sausage and some kind of carb - toast, biscuit, oatmeal, and French Toast. * There were many snack options available and 3 set snack times in addition to the 3 meals. * Good selection of puzzles, games, word searches, coloring sheets, playing cards, etc. * LGBTQ friendly and pro trans supportive to me. I was also allowed to continue my HRT during my stay. Staff seemed genuinely to try to get pronouns right, not 100%, but very apologetic when they slipped up. Several other patients had different preferred names and staff were 100% in using the preferred names. * The TV is available 630am-1030pm (off during groups), a good variety of cable channels available. * Phones are available for patient use 8am-10am (off during groups). * Christian religion focused with many Christian religious materials available (a plus if you like that sort of thing, also included as a con below for those that don't). Next the cons: * Outside of breakfast, the food is consistently terrible (mostly overcooked). * The staff sometimes gossip about patients and other staff within earshot of the patients. * No regularly scheduled outdoor time and no real physical activity possible (no gym, no stretching or yoga classes, no outdoor space except a courtyard that was only accessed 1x for 45 min during my 8 day stay). * Therapy groups are only scheduled 1-2x each day on the weekend (6x on weekdays). This is typical of most facilities but still a con in my opinion. * Rules are applied inconsistently at times and seem dependent on staff member / their own set of rules (use of dental floss/floss sticks, tampons, holes in jeans, zippers on clothing, jewelry, piercings allowed, soft cover/hard cover books, etc.) * Building is quite outdated and in need of deep cleaning and remodel (rust in shower and toilet, chairs with significant wear, table is wobbly, carpet is stained and very dirty). * Therapy groups rarely start or finish on time. * The daily therapy schedule isn't provided to patients until right before the first group and only shows the therapist name, not the type of group (processing, art, music, pets, etc.) * Christian religious materials are EVERYWHERE - posted on the wall, handouts, nurse uniforms, etc. (again, listed as a con here, but a pro above also, depending on preference).”