Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc.

PerroElvie G. Henderson Esq.

The greatest opportunity for my head congestion! Thank you Crestwood

Former Employee

This place is a DISASTER and it is a shame that this company represents Solano County mental health. Let's say you are in crisis. You feel out of options but want some professional help. Or, you ended up on a legal hold (5150) and someone else decided you need some professional help. The key word in both those situations is HELP, and you would assume a professional business aimed at treating the mentally ill would provide some 'evidence-based' semblance of help. Wrong. You show up for 'help' and are treated by bottom of the barrel nursing staff who couldn't get a job somewhere better. Kristi is high on meth and Keith is chewing tobacco while lecturing you on contraband. The nurses are on record steal the narcotics. They have little sympathy and even less training. A psychiatrist assesses you over a video-call or in person for maybe 5 minutes. This minimal assessment is enough for a diagnosis that will last you a lifetime of stigma (let me guess.. Schizophrenia? Other Psychotic Diorder? Major Depressive Disorder? Those were the only diagnoses used) They are coded into your permanent medical record by c-grade nurses who don't even know if what they're coding is accurate. Next, the company illegally extends 5150s. A 5150 is a 72 hour hold. If, at the end of 72 hours that person is still considered unsafe, the hold should become a 5250, or 2 week hold. Crestwood regularly writed and signs multiple 5150 holds - people are often on 2 or even 3. This is illegal. They don't have enough reason to hold a person for 2 weeks but don't want to discharge them. Ask for ALL your paperwork and if this happened to you or a family member, ask for a lawyer. They are a business to fill beds, not help people. There are no therapeutic groups offered (oh you want to color with crayons or bang on some bongo drums? Ok). The majority of staff are inexperienced and only talk about when their next lunch break is and who on staff they dislike. They are trained only to keep patients quiet. If you act up or speak up you are forced to recive heavy psychotropic meds. If you refuse you will be held down. They love to tell clients that there ate no discharges on weekends, but in reality the doctors are just too lazy to come in. They want to fill beds. This is the only goal. Get a lawyer. Gail, the 'administrator' is a retired mob-boss who is nowhere to be found except when it comes to buying beds and expensive wine dinners with doctors. The medical MD (Dr. John Hart) hits on female staff in his free time and is almost never available by phone or in person. It is common to not be able to get ahold of him in an emergency. The psychiatrists (Dr. Michael Minzenberg) avoid spending more than 5 mins a day on the unit, and the majority of his time is spent talking with staff or adding prescriptions for patients he has never seen. Put it this way - no one actually cares about you or believes your symptoms. Rosalin 'Smith', DON leads by angry colorful memos. She has no idea how to motivate or keep staff - no one on her staff has any reason to respect her. No nurses stay for more than a year and if they do they are paid for their silence (Ashley Jackson LVN and her 'special project' time). They treat the mental health system like a jail and their employees like slaves. Nobody wants an Applebees giftcard, Gail. They want reasonable hours, therapeutic treatment, and compassionate leadership.