NMMC Behavioral Health Center

“I recently left Tupelo Behavioral Health AMA, and my experience was one of the most frightening and disappointing experiences of my life. Instead of feeling safe and supported, I felt like I was being treated as if I were an inmate rather than a patient seeking mental health care. Our days consisted of waking up, eating breakfast, taking medications, and then sitting in front of a television for hours until lunch. After lunch, we attended a brief group where we rated our feelings from 1 to 10 before returning to the day room to watch more television. I never met with a therapist one-on-one, and I never met face-to-face with a psychiatrist. Every doctor interaction took place over a video screen, and during my stay I was seen by multiple different doctors without any continuity of care. After I requested to leave AMA, I was asked several deeply personal questions about my family that I did not feel were relevant to my treatment. The conditions and treatment I witnessed were extremely concerning. I was cold throughout my stay and, after requesting another blanket, was told I could only have one. Although I brought multiple sets of appropriate clothing with no strings, I was only given one pair of pants and one T-shirt. The water station had ants on it, and the sink in my room was also in poor condition. I witnessed my roommate fall in the shower, and after she said she could not feel her legs, I heard staff tell her to get herself up. I also witnessed another patient experiencing what appeared to be a seizure, and I heard staff tell her to stop acting rather than treating the situation as a possible medical emergency. Staff members were frequently on FaceTime during their shifts, and I felt that patient care was not being prioritized. I also heard staff making disrespectful comments about a pregnant patient behind the nurses’ station. I felt that my concerns were not taken seriously. During phone calls, I believed that when I voiced concerns about my treatment or how I felt, the calls were unexpectedly disconnected. By the time I left, I felt significantly worse than when I arrived. I was never given the opportunity to go outside for fresh air, and nicotine replacement was unavailable if you missed the morning distribution. I entered this facility hoping to receive help during a mental health crisis, but I left feeling more hopeless, scared, and traumatized than when I arrived. I believe these concerns deserve to be investigated so that future patients receive the compassionate, respectful, and professional care they deserve.”

“I was there from 4/20/2026 to 4/23/2026. It was hell. The staff was dismissive, rude, and condescending. I watched them gulp down loaded teas while we were left with instant coffee and lemonade packets. There was a Hispanic girl in there who didn’t speak a lick of English. They let her talk to a translator on the phone once or twice a day. Other than that nobody could communicate with her. They had her so doped up and exhausted she would just lay down in the floor. One of the white male staff actually yelled at her in a fake Mexican accent on the night of 4/22/26. She had laid down in the floor crying begging to go to hospital and pointing ant her tooth. They kept being me to her, saying she had just laid out for attention. They group of staff moving her were complaining that if she hurt herself it would be a “big ordeal” for them. Earlier that morning after meds were given out. A patient named April was held down by security guards to be injected with her medicine. The staff member named Erica was saying rude stuff to her the whole time like “you want US to help you with your clothes but then won’t even take your medicine”. The facility has no actual doctors on site. They have a large flat screen T.V. That the Dr shows up on via telehealth whenever he feels like it. The entire time I was there any question I asked was “for the doctor” any time I asked when I could see the doctor I was told “we never know when he’ll show up”. His name was Ragvend Gajagowni. He was by far the worst member of the staff. They wouldn’t even tell me his name they would say “we call him Dr.G” I learned his name from a prescription label when I got home. He essentially told me my job didn’t matter and he didn’t want to let me leave in the allotted amount of time I could legally be held there. He was judgmental and mocked me for not able to afford my medication. The facility was ice cold. The mattresses were uncomfortable, and we had glorified sheets that were referred to as “blankets”. I was so cold I literally prayed to just die while I was there. There were ants and cameras in my room. Because of this place I will NEVER ask for help again. I’m more traumatized than when I went in. If your family member needs mental help, please don’t send them to this place.”

“I’ve been attending the Behavioral Health Center for a month now, and I can genuinely say the outpatient services have been life-changing. Clark and Pippa are incredible—compassionate, attentive, and truly dedicated to their work. Nurse Practitioner Green is also fantastic—professional, supportive, and easy to talk to. Thanks to their care, I’m finally getting my life back on track. The level of support and understanding they provide has made all the difference in my journey. I’ve seen some negative reviews, and I honestly don’t understand them. From my experience, the staff here genuinely care and go above and beyond if you’re open to receiving help. I’ll absolutely continue coming here and highly recommend them to anyone looking for real support and care.”

“The nurse that I talked to was very understanding and talk to me as if I was going to be able to receive some help! Seem very caring and very understanding! But Dr Hathaway the psychiatrist is the worst person to try to get advice for your mental health! When I went there I thought I was gonna be able to receive help because no one's listening to me just to find out when I talked to the psychiatrist He doesn't listen either! I felt like I was judged when I done my Telehealth visit and I've never felt so much betrayal of my faith!! I would not suggest him to no one if you're having any kind of problems with anxiety or any kind of mental problems!! By far the worst experience I've ever had with a psychiatrist!!”