Garfield Park Hospital's Online Review Report Card

This was the fifth time my child needed to be inpatient for treatment (previous 4 were at a different facility). My child has been in a battle with their mental health for a year and half with it only getting worse. This was the first time my child had visited/been admitted to Garfield Park Behavioral Hospital. I talked to all the staff handling my child’s care multiple times during his treatment and was kept up to date with what was going on with my child’s care. I was treated with understanding, respect, and kindness from all that I spoke with. When I didn’t understand why they did something with my child’s treatment they explained it to me in a way I understood (not complex medical terms I’d have to look up later) and answered any other questions I had. The staff/Doctors were able to figure out a big part of what was causing my child’s issue that landed them in another round of inpatient (and even solved a problem I was being told was neurological.. turns out it wasn’t). They even called the next day to do a follow up on after care for my child and to see if we needed any further assistance. My child now has hope and peace. For the first time in a VERY VERY long time I hear joy when my child talks and I see a sparkle in my child’s eyes and smile that has been dimmed that I didn’t know could be brought back. I will forever be eternally grateful to the staff and this hospital for what they gave back to my child and our family.

My kid has been here many times, and even family friends I know bring there kids to this facility, I have recommended it to them many times we all have young children and I can truly say when we leave our kids we know will taken care of, all they talk about is the staff, someone who always comes up is Mr.Haden as to when it comes to coming into contact with staff they never answer the phone when all I want is just a update about my kid but when Mr.Haden is there he is always so helpful and makes sure whatever I need or need to know he will take care of, I know when our kids are there they are being cared for and helped, however there’s so much gossip and unprofessionalism going on as to hear from our own kids he is into relations with the Social Worker Jamie, I don’t know if this is true but to know staff is spreading this around or even slandering there names and taking about such things around kids is very unprofessional and hope this is not true as to we enjoy everything they do for our kids.

I met my ex girlfriend here and I "adopted" another patient☺️

All of the staff was friendly and kind to my child and our family throughout their stay.

I've been here quite a few times and it was overall not a good experience. There are a few good staff members who know what they are doing, and applause to them. But most staff members are rude and arrogant. They blatantly ignore your allergies, medication times, and when you are genuinely struggling. There are so many deeper issues and all they tend to focus on is "dating" within the unit. Which yes, I know is not allowed but there are bigger fish to fry. A lot of my clothes were "lost" and I would see other patients wearing them. Still on the matter of the clothes, it took 2-3 days to get my clothes back. Overall I would not recommend this place to anyone. There were also serious health code violations, like bedbugs and when I would see some other units in the stairs etc, they would have lice caps on. Not to mention they do nothing about bullying within units, but then get upset when someone stands up for themselves. And this is just about the impatient unit. With the PHP unit, it was good until they switched buildings. I understand they had to make space but it just made it so much worse. You now had to get escorted to the bathroom, which was two stalls for every kid, both pediatric and adolescent. The lunches were either sandwiches, or soggy due to them having to be brought from the hospital. There was not enough staff for the big area. This hospital has went down hill and I didn't think it could get any worse. The only reason it gets a two is because of the very few staff who gave a damn about their jobs.

My daughter has unfortunately been to a few places. This hospital has felt like the village I hear people say you need when raising a child. I am so grateful for all the wonderful staff at Garfield Hospital; too many to name. Thank you Miss. Akya who literally poured the life back into my daughter with her affirmations and loving approach. Dr.Saunders who thoroughly considered my child when ordering her meds. I am forever grateful.

I recently picked up my son after his stay at Garfield Park Hospital. As a mother, trusting a facility to care for my child during a difficult time is not easy, but I did my best to believe he would be in good hands. When I asked my son how it went, he told me that overall the experience wasn’t too bad. He mentioned that he felt more comfortable with the female staff members because they were more patient and understanding. However, he also shared something that deeply disturbed me as a parent. He told me that the male staff were often aggressive, which made him feel uncomfortable. But what upset me the most was when he said a staff member named Mr.Haeden bragged in front of others including the children about “going at it” with another staff member in one of the meeting rooms. I don’t know what kind of environment this hospital is trying to run, but that is completely inappropriate especially in a children’s facility where kids are already vulnerable and trying to heal. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and unprofessional. I am now in the process of contacting the proper channels to report this situation so it can be looked into the way it should. Children’s mental health facilities should be a safe space, not a place where staff feel free to act out in front of kids or make them feel intimidated. I expected better from a place that claims to help children.

I was here around September through October of 2024 for the PHP program, and it was alright, but theres better places worth your time and insurance money. This place has no actual therapy (whether it is group or individual), staff just give you worksheets to fill out. I asked one staff to talk to her ans she said to "talk to Jesus." Nurses and providers are obsessed with giving medication after medication instead of focusing on treatment. They wanted me to be put on some strong medication called lithium but my therapist and my mom refused. I got kicked out from here because they didn't have proper communication even though my mom couldn't speak english and was hard of hearing. There are some good staff (idk if they still work there): Mr. Jaevon, Mr Jaylen, Mr Vic, Mrs A, Mr Douglas, Mrs Pam and Mr Marco. Other kids are cool too just dont be a dick and dont talk shit. Overall this place just drains you but its not the worst. You basically need street smarts and know your ways around.

Do not go here for mental help!!! The only thing it'll give you is a slight will to live from how much you'll want to LEAVE. Alia (I think it's spelled like that) and Dr. Saunders were the only good people in this place. The social workers seem to be the only kind people here. The staff do not do their jobs. They're not trained or anything to handle mentally ill children. All they do is yell and scroll on their phones in the dayroom. Sometimes they'd literally crash out and I didn't even feel safe in here because they were so bad at managing everything! Everybody was just so mean :( All I did was behave and be kind. Don't recommend.

Do not send your child here. Your child will be 0traumatized. Research and find another alternative. This facility needs to be reported to the Department of Public Health and any other Hospital Licensing agency. Trying to converse with the DON is an exercise in futility. She never returns your calls. Your child will be placed on excessive dosages of medication The local pharmacist called several times regarding a questionable prescription. Discharge said one dosage and prescription was written for 4x the dosage. Garfield never responded to the pharmacist calls for clarification. Some staff encourages confrontations between patients.. If your child has an allergy, they will not receive a band denoting an allergy upon admission. Information package received was outdated. Some days the children can not take showers because there is very little or no hot water. They cannot brush their teeth, they do not give them toothbrushes. They take your child for a week and do nothing healing and or constructive. No inpatient therapy or follow-up. They will not give your child, their clothes in a timely manner. They are not even cognizant of whether the clothing goes to the right individual. This place is not child safe or child friendly. This place is like a prison. The children are being penalized for having mental health illnesses. Please note the same verbatim response to the low reviews. You do not response to calls but you will respond to an email. I am in the process of contacting the Governor's Office, Mayor's Office, local TV affiliates, social media, licensing/regulatory agencies, and the community at large regarding the atrocity . named Garfield Behavioral Hospital.