Oakview Behavioral Health Services's Online Review Report Card

Negatives: OK the rooms weren't exactly up to Ritz standards and the food was hospital grade. There were one or two staff members that seemed less than happy to be there and even a little short with the patients. No place is going to get a five star rating. You are going to find faults no matter where you go. I was in inpatient between January 9th and 14th for anxiety and depression as well as "SI". This was my first time in a facility, so I was extremely apprehensive. I had seen the horror stories about mismanaged mental hospitals and was on high alert going in. It ended as soon as I was carted in. The staff was, for the most part, very helpful and caring. They did regular vital checks, bed checks, 4 counseling classes a day (optional), had regular 1on 1 check ins with psychiatrists and therapists, etc... This place was an overall game changer. I went in at the end of my rope. I had hit the wall in every way. This place and the people in it helped me process my feelings, got me on necessary medication, and helped me find outside mental health assistance for my continued recovery. To the staff and my peers. Thank you for your kindness and compassion in helping me climb out of the darkness.

They are experienced professionals with a heart for people! I spent a few months in IOP and they were dedicated to my mental health issues as well! I would highly recommend them, Tell them Kenny sent you

They are good and dedicated professionals and friendly as well. I spent a few months in IOP classes that also addressed my mental health issues. I would highly recommend

I was nervous, more than nervous actually, to be admitted here, but after being reassured by the staff that it was unlike a place I’d experienced years ago, I found it to be probably one of the best places I’ve ever been to. If I ever need mental health care in the future I will not hesitate to go back. The very best place I’ve ever been for mental health treatment and care. Thank you to all who helped me.

I was involuntarily hospitalized on February 15th 2024 - February 19th 2024. I went in for an assessment for Oakview's PHP / IOP mental health program, which I participated in last year. I met with a counselor who I worked with last year. In an attempt to show them that my symptoms had been flaring up for over a week, I showed (counselor, and psychiatrist Dr. Dawn Dawson, who has since relocated to another state) a text I had sent to friend eight days prior. I also showed them that I sent a screenshot of said text to my clinical psychologist, who had authority to pink slip me herself. I mentioned I had also met with my psychologist between the sending of said text and that assessment. Dr. Dawson said she was really busy and asked me if I could come back at 4pm that day to see her, I said no, I was going to be busy that day and weekend doing DoorDash to make a car payment. I told her I could start the program Monday (assessment was a Thurs. morning) or, if it was really necessary could she do the appointment over zoom later that day. Her response was "I'm concerned you're not willing to come back and see me". Dr. Dawson asked me multiple questions inquiring about Bipolar disorder, I told her that was not my diagnosis, and she said that "she didn't understand how my suicidal thoughts could go away for 6 weeks last year and then come back" She asked me if I ever had panic attacks, I said no, but I used to get anxiety attacks in highschool, she said "what's the difference", I looked at the counselor and asked her, "don't you guys do a whole group on the differences between those here?', she shook her head yes. The psychiatrist employed there did not know the difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack. Dr. Dawson asked me if I had any intent on hurting myself, I said no, I said I could start the program Monday, and I was looking forward to possibly seeing a friend that Tuesday. Dr. Dawson asked the counselor to step into the hall with her, they were gone for a while. The counselor comes in by herself and tells me Dr. Dawson has a few more questions for me, and says let's walk over to her office. I am actually taken to the nurses office, and the counselor is standing in the hall looking around. The nurse, Missy, tells me I have been pink slipped. Paramedics show up and surround me. I am crying but follow all of their instructions willingly, while we are walking to the ambulance, they are debating amongst themselves if I can walk, one of the men turns to me and says "you can walk, can't you?" In the ambulance I hear one say to the other to have my blood pressure taken again at the ER, that it was over 140. When I arrive at the unit, a staff member, Miranda (went by Mira) tells me privately that she's been in a unit like this and that she has bipolar disorder. On the unit I received inappropriate comments from two men, one who told me he was 67 (I was 22 at the time) telling me he can see the outline of my figure and even though I was in scrubs he could still tell I was a woman. He also said "Some Jews say they're Jews but really they're descendants of [Satan/The Devil], I reported all of this to multiple staff members, nothing was done. They all said they can't tell clients what they can and cannot say, and the psychiatrists I met with told me that some mentally ill people cannot control what they say. One of the psychiatrists, Dr. Charles Luther, told me that he "thought I was using my suicidal thoughts as a crutch" and also that he "was surprised someone as intelligent as me would send the text I did". I worked with Dr. Luther last year and he knew who I was. Dr. Rachel Branning told me that Friday morning that they had gotten ahold of my clinical psychologist and what she said "helped my case" but "it was too late" and I'd have to spend the weekend. No one verbally notified me that I was able to contact my psychologist or any medical provider or attorney. I was handed a folder once on the unit, about 4-5 hours after I had been pink slipped, but no one said on pg x lists your rights as a patient. Under Ohio Law Section 5122 (B) I am legally able to view what was written on the pink slip at my request, and I contacted SouthWest a few months ago and they told me I was not. Last year when I worked with Dr. Luther I told him I had been researching how to purchase a gun, I was not pink slipped then, but for some reason me crying and showing a text that made no direct threat against myself I sent 8 days prior and my clinical psychologist was aware and was looking forward to seeing a friend Tuesday qualified? I developed severe PTSD symptoms after this incident. I was shaking and crying all the time, I did not sleep through the night for over a month, I was terrified of police officers/paramedics, at this point I did develop panic attacks and even disassociated. If you need help, Drive to Columbus before going to Oakview.

My son was an inpatient. This is the first time in twenty years that all of his issues were acknowledged and advocated for. He is now in long term treatment and has been sober for the first time in his adulthood. I am grateful for the firm expectations combined with compassionate care.

I only stayed for one night and I can honestly say I hope anybody with mental health problems never comes here. Go anywhere else. 1) Every other room was given a trashcan(I saw them in other patients' rooms). I didn't have one, my nurse NOTICED and I never received one even when I asked. I just left my wet paper towels on the bathroom sink after I washed my hands because there was nowhere to throw them away. 2) I was told I'd be given toiletries and never received any. 3) My parents called the nurses when I told them I want to go home and asked if a nurse would explain to me what was legally keeping me there as I went voluntarily. The nurse got the call, promised my dad that she herself would talk to me, and never came to talk to me. When I asked 30 minutes after the call from my family she hadn't told anybody else, had to take another nurse to the back to explain what was going on, then the OTHER nurse talked to me and didn't explain any laws or legal reasons I couldn't leave, she explained nothing. 4) Another patient mistook a male nurse for someone she was angry at and called him that name and yelled at him. After she left the nurses all started LAUGHING and making fun of the patient. 5) I asked for motrin twice in a row for my pain condition and never received it 6) They may as well not even give you the schedule they do because they don't follow it at all. Breakfast is 8:15 to 9. They weren't ready until 8:45 and then only had the food out for 15 minutes. There were no group sessions the day I arrived even when there should have been and the one group session I attended was 20 minutes late to start. 7) They have a white board w/ patient names under the nurse's name who is caring for them that day. My DEADNAME was up on the board even though I'd told them my preferred name and pronouns and they had managed to stick to that pretty well. 8) Apparently if you're in a psych ward voluntarily and tell them you'd like to get discharged and leave they are LEGALLY REQUIRED to supply you with a doctor to assess you within 2 hours and they refused to do so. 9) They allow you to skip as many meals and therapy sessions as you want. They will just let you starve. There was one woman who I watched skip lunch, dinner, breakfast, and lunch again. Whenever they'd announced food she'd just go to her room and not stop to get food. I asked her if she had food she liked in her room instead and she said she didn't have any and she just didn't like to eat much. This was just an overnight stay. Please, think about what your loved one may be forced to experience here if they're there for longer. Especially if they have difficulty advocating and speaking for themselves. They may never actually receive any treatment or supplies. Do not go or send anyone you love here.

The staff truly cares about you while you’re in there and they take their jobs very seriously. Nikki, Roxana, Chuck, Chad, thank you all so much.

I would highly recommend this place to anyone struggling with addiction no matter what point you’re at this program changed my life and helped me from the very first step it’s never too late and this is a great place for that journey. The Staff make it a comfortable safe environment with very knowledgeable professionals.

When I was there.The staff was wonderful. They helped me a lot. Highly recommend.