Dallas Behavioral HealthCare Hospital

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Lynndavia Google

2 months ago

I was sent here involuntarily per the court. I was supposed to stay 5-7 days but with the new years holiday and a couple of weekends I was there a little longer. The facility places you in units based on your needs and diagnosis. I was in unit one for my duration so I can’t speak to any of the other units and what happens there. I was terrified coming in having not ever being at a facility like this before I had no idea what to expect. When I came in it was night and I heard some yelling and cursing that added to my anxiety. I am from a somewhat affluent suburb and had only seen places like this in the movies. Unit one was made up of men and women. That also made me apprehensive. There are two people to a room. Which consists of two single beds two bookcases and a bathroom. Everything had been well thought out as far as safety measures. There is a common room where everyone can socialize if they want to. All of this is supervised by the techs and other staff which gave me a huge sense of security. There is a schedule for waking up, getting vitals, medication, meals, gym, group therapy ( which was done by Carmen) shout out to Carmen she was really helpful in so many ways! Also on the schedule was hygiene and bedtime. I’m not a scheduled person and like to stay up late and sleep in. By the end of the stay I had learned to appreciate the schedule and am trying to stick to one now that I am at home. I can not say enough about how wonderful the staff on Unit 1 was. I could list names but it would be too many and I’m really bad at names and remembering them. The nurses were amazing and really took prided in their work and it showed. The techs made up the rest of the staff on the floor and they do so many things from doing 15 minute rounds for 12 hours to handling meal service being there to lend an ear. Being silly sometimes to lighten the mood and bring laughter. Kanard I’m speaking about your little happy dances. Sheena and Mary were like the mothers we didn’t have in there. Brittany the protective big sister who you could tell anything to and Dylon and big Rod I’m sure that’s his name but if not the big part will ensure that you know whom I’m speaking of. They were all very empathetic to our situations and just so very good to have in our unit. That was probably my one complaint. I would have liked to have had more healthy food options especially fresh fruit. I did ask for some and I got an orange that they had cut up the way that moms do. I feel that above and beyond given their workload so shout out kitchen staff. I know I’m going to leave out people by names because I’m bad at remembering them but I will never forget Charles and Ezeck the two nurses that really looked out for everyone’s health and well being Like I said Unit one is exactly where I needed to be at that point in my situation and time. To sum it up amazing morning and nighttime staff on Unit one. Areas that need improvement - healthier food options -opportunities for a variety of physical exercise- maybe an instructor led yoga class if for nothing else but stretching and breathing exercises. - daytime activities aside from tv. I really would have appreciated a book to read or a chore- just something to do. - lastly I was not as all impressed with the Doctors I had and the ones I observed. They were focused on medication but not what got us there or the help we needed. A lot of the times they were very dismissive to the patients. I was sent to this hospital to get better but they really offered no counseling at all. I mean at all. The only therapy we got was from Carmen and again she was awesome but it was in a group and not necessarily suited to individual needs so they really need counselors!!! Healthy food Opportunities for physical exercise. Counselors More mentally stimulating options like I said even a book or a crossword puzzle would help during the hours of boredom. I hope the powers that be read this and give the recognition this staff deserves!! PS they love food…wink wink.

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God Firstvia Google

2 months ago

I had to stay here for about 7 to 8 days on unit 2 nurse Linda , Emilia, and Tenesha were all absolute angels . The unit 2 staff as a collective was amazing but those nurses reached me the most. My God continue to bless this hospital and all of its staff. With love and grace to you all sincerely the (wrecking ball)

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Talitha Rosevia Google

3 months ago

This place is a special kind of hell where the western concept of institutionalizing patients in a dehumanizing manner prevails. It was my worst nightmare to be involuntarily detained here after a woman claiming to be my mother (she legally relinquished me at birth and was omitted from my certified birth certificate) convinced police that I was homicidal at a time when I was rather concerned that someone was homicidal against me - to this day she thinks she was acting wisely, but this is coming from a woman who left her two un-relinquished daughters to grow up in an illegally crowded home. I do not know how it happened, but once those handcuffs found my wrists, it was over. I lost my voice and became a ward of the state. What happened is truly unforgivable. Someone called 911 in an attempt to get police to help her to leave the locked unit. One woman pleaded that police hauled her to the hospital over a misinterpreted text message. Another, after realizing that medication was the rule, voiced she did not believe in taking medication and that her sister had simply gotten her locked up because she thought her simplistic lifestyle was a sign of mental illness. I too was pressured to take medication that was against my ideology, despite the fact that I was not actually homicidal or presenting as such - I was given a mandatory shot (male staff threatened to hold me down if I would not let the female nurse do it) in the buttocks when I declined, and doctors went to court and damaged my reputation so that they could wave an order in my face. To make matters worse, I was sexually harassed by certain staff members and involuntarily sent to a medical hospital for an unwanted and unnecessary internal physical examination - the man at the admissions desk looked concerned when I told him that the staff were mistaken about the medical condition they claimed that I had, but he had no choice but to admit me. They charged me 17K to run tests and, after documenting what they were told was the problem and labeling me as uncooperative (I don’t have to let anyone touch my body), did not go back and document that they were wrong once the results were in. They instead acted as if the fibroids they found were “news” to me and billed for that instead. The staff member who ordered the hospital admission apologized to me when I returned, but the damage was already done. Don’t ever come here, if you don’t have to. They are goofy and lazy, except for the small Hispanic staff population that seems to know how to treat people right. They ignore formal requests for medical records - when a staff member thought I was asking for my records prior to discharge, she got this alarmed look on her face and said I was not allowed to see my files until I left. It was a huge red flag and not a complete shock when they were resistant to releasing them later (we got hung up on) - they do not want people seeing what they put in patient files. Don’t bother emailing them your concerns, as they do not write back - probably just sitting there laughing their heads off.

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Kimberleevia Google

5 months ago

My daughter stayed here for a week, and the intake process was excellent. I want call her name, but there was a lady who prayed with my daughter. I thank you so much. They made me feel at ease. It was hard leaving her there, but she needed help. She was extremely nervous at first, but she quickly grew comfortable. She liked her therapist and really enjoyed the group therapy sessions. She also connected with other patients she could relate to. The nurses were very helpful and took the time to explain the process and how everything worked. I was able to speak with the staff whenever I needed to, and they were always supportive. You must follow their policy and procedure. My daughter wanted to stay for the 10-day program, so it helped her. She’s not completely cured yet, but the foundation has been set. I just need continued follow-up and support through the outside resources they provide. There were a few things I didn't like. It can be replaced.

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Grysel Hernandezvia Google

5 months ago

My experience at Dallas Behavioral Health Hospital was honestly one of the most frustrating and disappointing times of my life. From the moment I was admitted, I felt like most of the staff didn’t actually care about the patients’ well-being. Many of them were rude, dismissive, and lacked empathy. It often felt like we were being treated more like a burden than people who came here for help and healing. One night, a staff member even brought in her own fan, set it up in the common room, and got comfortable while everyone else was asleep. It was unprofessional and unsettling — especially in a place where patients are supposed to feel safe and monitored. That kind of behavior made it hard to trust the staff or feel supported. The doctor also tried to keep me hospitalized for 11 days, even though the usual stay for my situation is typically between 7–10 days. I was doing everything I was supposed to — going to groups, taking my medications, and participating — but I still felt like my progress was being ignored and my discharge was being unnecessarily delayed. It felt like no one was really listening to me or considering how I was actually doing. That said, I do want to mention that there were a few staff members who stood out in a positive way. Kennard and Jarvis were always kind, respectful, and treated patients like actual human beings. Some of the nurses were also caring and tried their best to make things easier, even when the rest of the environment felt cold and disorganized. And I can’t say enough about Karmen, the therapist — she was absolutely amazing. She genuinely listened, showed compassion, and made a real effort to help me and others work through what we were going through. She was one of the only people there who made me feel truly seen and understood. Overall, while there were a few good people working there, my overall experience was deeply negative. The lack of professionalism, compassion, and proper communication made a hard time in my life even harder. I really hope this hospital takes these kinds of experiences seriously and makes changes so that future patients are treated with more respect, empathy, and care.