Prisma Health Marshall I. Pickens Hospital

"You can expect nothing but worsened mental health after staying in the 'care' of this hospital. I was 'treated' for anorexia in 2022 and was pumped full of medication that made me paranoid and depressed, treated like a child, and degraded by the doctor assigned to my case."

"I (23, female) went to Marshall Pickens after an attempt on my life six months ago. I have struggled with my mental health and ptsd since I was a child, and have been in and out of therapy and hospitalized twice as a result. After being in a psychiatric unit in Virginia a year ago and receiving the awful level of care that I did, I must say that I actually received the help I truly needed. I got the diagnoses I’d been seeking and the medication that I needed. The wings were relatively small in patient numbers which allowed us to get the care we needed as well as form bonds with those around us. A huge plus, was having an outdoor area and activities to do outside of the hall. Per my last psychiatric visit in a different state, we had nothing of the sort and were in the same three rooms all day; versus here, where you were given and encouraged to have enrichment times outside of your room. Another massive difference from my last stay was having visiting hours where friends and family could come see you. Compared to my last time in a psychiatric unit, I felt like a human being in this hospital versus the one in my home state where I felt like a chore. Staff were kind and ready to listen when wards needed someone. The technicians who work directly with patients all day on the unit were so kind and easy to talk to. My psychiatrists and doctors were incredibly kind and understanding, giving me the attention I needed and listening to my concerns. The activity leaders were absolutely amazing as well; Miss Amy in her particular made such a positive difference in my stay with her music therapy classes and outside of them with one on one therapy. Another plus was that my caseworkers were incredibly kind and involved throughout the entire process, letting me know that I have a personal advocate inside the hospital. I am truly grateful for the staff and the care they gave me. My only complaint (and I think this can be said about any hospital facility in the USA) is that the food was not very nutritious or varied especially for those of us with dietary restrictions. But again, Marshall Pickens gave me a new chance at life with a new perspective and they helped put me on a positive path that I would have never considered for myself previously. Thank you to all the staff there: you made a difference in my life."

"I came here when I was 6. It’s a long time ago but it was the worst experience of my life. treated like a lab rat and an animal. Prepare to be covered in bruises from the amount of blood work they do. I have lots of trauma from my experience. Left in worse shape than when I went in. I would never, ever, ever in this world recommend this to anyone who wants to be in any sort of positive mental capacity."

"Can I leave zero stars? A horrid experience. I was placed there involuntarily and still have PTSD from being there for 6 days. The meds I was given caused serious health problems. It is truly like I would imagine a jail to be but with no lock on your door to protect you from other "inmates". All it gave me was the fear to ever open my mouth again in this state. Truly awful place."

"Truly the worst experience I have ever had. I have struggled with mental health my whole life and have never been through something so awful. The inpatient program is literally just jail. The staff is awful, impossible to get ahold of and talks down to you. There was literally a bug in my room. They just give you a ton of drugs. During my visit I didn’t see a therapist, psychiatrist or doctor. The intake process was about 5 hours and discharge was about 7. I left feeling worse than I did coming in. The thought of having to go back there is the reason why people lie about their feelings. Then they make me an appointment with the mental health center, don’t tell me and then I go once I figure out I have one just for the services they have to offer doesn’t work for me. They could have figured that out if someone actually talked to me. If you don’t go in feeling crazy then you sure do leave feeling crazy. For your mental sake please do not go to this facility as it only makes it worse. Truly saddening that patients are honest and actually seeking help and they don’t even care."