San Jose Behavioral Health Hospital

Reviews 7

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J K

Overall, my family had a good experience with SJBH. My son was admitted after a suicide attempt, and stayed there for 7 nights, in their adolescent ward. Note: The front desk can be very busy, and the kids have group therapy sessions during the day, so it can be difficult to get a hold of your child on the phone. However, the staff is very good and will eventually give you a call back. I understand the low reviews, because I, too, was very concerned during our time of emergency need, and I ask myself why they did not jump immediately to address my emergency. However, when I considered the job they had to do day in and day out, and for the safety of the patients, and the important processes for intake, etc., I think they are doing a great job. I took one star off my review because there was a mix up on my sons medication (he did not get it when he needed it), and this was acknowledged by the doctor to be a serious issue, and I believe one person was fired because of it. They made changes right away, and we are confident this was an incident related to one bad employee versus a systemic issue at SJBH. The psychiatrist was excellent. She really knew her medications, and sat down with us to explain the diagnosis and medication plan. The case worker was communicative and helped us understand the out-patient treatment needs, as well as kept us updated on his general condition and improvements. The front desk receptionist during the day was super helpful and was very diligent to help track down my questions. We could visit my son once per day, along with all the other parents. We all went in to the cafeteria at the same time and could meet for one hour while they ate their dinner. I think the visiting hours were going to change after we were discharged to help accommodate people who work... so I dont know where the visits would take place. My son told us about some highlights of his therapy sessions, and they sounded pretty fun and funny. In general, he was very bored, but I suppose that can be expected. We brought him books, a rubiks cube, and other things to occupy his time, but he was depressed, and there wasnt a lot he wanted to do anyway. What was most important to us was his safety, and my wife and I were not concerned about that at all. So, to summarize, I would say this was not a happy resort experience. There were many tears shed by my wife and me, and we would rather not have gone through this experience. However, I am so thankful that this facility is here to help people who are going through deep depression, and keep them safe and help them back to mental health. Its one step in a long journey. My son is still depressed and his improvement is slow. But he is not suicidal anymore, and we feel completely safe with him at home. To be where we are today, we needed a place like SJBH, and in that context, it was an excellent experience. One last thing, the billing dept was really helpful. This place was officially not covered by my insurance, which I did not know until several days in. I was very concerned at first, but they were able to contact our insurance company to work out some kind of exception, where it was treated as an in-network facility. Because of their efforts, we were covered 100% by insurance. I wasnt sure if wed have to take out a loan or use home equity or what, but the burden for the cost was really eliminated by their billing dept.

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Huy Dang

My girlfriend was here on a 5150, where she said the first two days were fine. The staff was nice and living condition was normal. It all changed when she was given a new caretaker, who my girlfriend described as condescending and threatening. After her first two days, she was told that she is now on voluntary stay, but every time she wanted details on what "voluntary stay" meant, her new caretaker threatened her, saying "Do you want to forced to stay here another 14 day?" The caretaker did not want her to leave and threatened to force her to stay. When her family and I questioned San Jose Behavioral Hospital about the entire process of a 5150, they did not even answer and asked us to "call back for more details." But they would not answer their phones when we called. We had to call the Kaiser Permanente hospital that sent her to SJBH to ask what the process of a 5150 was. This psychiatric hospital might be new and look nice, but its staff seem to want to keep their patients for as long as possible instead of trying to help them. My girlfriend is a vegetarian, but all of their food choices contained some form of meet. She ate grilled cheese sandwiches for every meal simply because there was meat in the meal or they wouldnt tell her what was in it. They kept her family and I in the dark for almost everything and would keep telling us to "call back for answers," but would not answer when we called.

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Michelle Cale

A relative was incarcerated here for over a week. Absolutely chaotic. Dr Green is good, but she is the only doctor for all the adolescents and some of the adults. There is apparently one other doctor for the adults - so two doctors for an 80 bed facility. Therapy is almost non-existent. The patients spend a lot of time watching TV. My relative saw her social worker once in 8 days, and the doctor twice. Phone calls go unanswered. Food is absolutely disgusting. The discharge interview took place in the corridor and lasted two minutes, and the aftercare had to be arranged by a family member as the facility didnt get round to it.

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rachel marie123

I was admitted to this facility under 5150, later voluntary, and I must say the staff are very kind, passionate, and truly want to help you have a better life, and teach you so many healthy coping skills, and they honestly saved my life, and thanks to this place I have made many new friends, and have a brighter look on life, Kristine was easily my favorite MHT, I easily recommend this place to anyone, a bonus the food is actually pretty good too as well as they have alternative meal options, and let you choose what you put on your plate.

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Lillian Brink

I was here on a 5150 then stayed a few more days volentary. The staff was great, food was awesome, and the rooms felt like hotel rooms just striped of everything. The only thing I didnt like that there us only 3 therapist for the entire facility at a time. I got the help I need and would recommend going here if you need help.

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fabi Napoles

The staff is wonderful. The doctors are awesome. The food was okay. My daughter is doing well and Im happy. My daughter was having issues and at this beautiful facility they communicate what her needs were. The hospital she was before she didnt communicate and just kept her so drugged up that she seemed like a zombie.

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Louie Damic

We have only had very positive experiences here. Top notch staff and care. The professionals know what they are doing and were very lucky to live close to here. Not really sure what other behavioral hospital offers this level of support and care. Glad to have been a patient!

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