SMA Crisis - Daytona

“If you have a loved one struggling with mental illness, especially during a crisis, think carefully before trusting them to SMA. My 25-year-old daughter was Baker Acted while in a manic state, and despite me having legal guardianship, communication and care were handled in a way that left me deeply concerned. I personally provided my guardianship paperwork and expected communication regarding my daughter’s care and treatment, but there was very little communication or coordination during an extremely serious mental health crisis. My concerns and requests as her legal guardian did not feel respected or prioritized. Within less than 48 hours, my daughter — who has no prior history of violence or criminal behavior — was involved in an incident with a nurse while in the facility. Instead of what I believed should have been a continued mental health intervention, law enforcement became involved, and my daughter was ultimately taken to jail while actively experiencing a psychiatric crisis. Families place trust in mental health facilities during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. In our experience, there was a severe lack of communication, lack of coordination with a legal guardian, and a failure to provide trauma-informed mental health care during a psychiatric emergency. I am sharing this because families deserve to know what can happen when communication and mental health intervention break down in a crisis setting.”

“This place might be for you if you’re suffering addiction but not just regular mental illness and Honestly I don’t even know where to start I suffer a severe panic disorder and possible bpd and I went in voluntarily due to having zero insurance and in a panic state, this place was absolutely disgusting, I was given used socks that didn’t even match to wear to bed two thin blankets and a rubber bowling ball for a pillow I wasn’t able to access my medication because the psychiatrist had to approve it, & wouldn’t be until the next morning, couldn’t sleep because the bedrooms have bright orange lights in every room so they can see you when checking in but you can’t turn them off, staff check on you every 15 or so minutes it seemed and they don’t care if you’re trying to sleep I got woken up like 5 times in the night just from my door opening and I’m typically a heavy sleeper. Not to mention several fights almost took place the next morning, as well as staff leaving patients unattended for a few minutes at a time with a group. I felt VERY unsafe I previously went to Halifax a year prior and they treated me with the best care, at the time I don’t think so but now it seems like HEAVEN, I was only there for about 12 hours so not the typical 24-72 hour hold. Not to mention I never received my medication🙃. But nonetheless I didn’t experience the full effect they didn’t have any learning exercises or anything for you to do literally just walk around or watch tv take a nap, maybe read a book. Food was absolutely horrendous and the staff talked like this was week they had a larger quantity of food on hand…. I was never talked to by a therapist or counselor either… just maybe a nurse a regular staff and two psychiatrists who both agreed I didn’t need to be there for much longer! You also have to pee & poo with the door unlocked and unlatched! The walls were also all covered in some questionable fluids.. I did see a cleaning lady come in and clean the bathrooms but she was in and out QUICK. They also don’t allow you to use any of your own skin care products or even offer regular conditioner the hairbrushes were horrid, and the showers included a push handle that you had to hold with one hand to shower🫶 . Ps if you’re trying to reinstate humanity of any kind in someone don’t put them in jail you make it way WORSE ❤️”

“In my opinion, SMA needs to be audited by a medical governing board for their practices and their lack of level of care. This is an unsafe environment with horrible care. If you or a loved one needs crisis care, SMA is one faculty that you absolutely need to avoid.”

“Terrible customer service. It's a center that doesn't help everyone in need. I asked to just come in the lobby because it was cold and I was rudely told no by some jamaican women. They have bullet proof glass an everything locked tight. So it wasn't like she thought I could cause any harm. I just needed to step inside for a minute. I was actually having a crisis but I guess she didn't care 🙃 🤷”