I have a mixed feeling about vista Del Mar, I personally feel like this mental hospital did not help me at all. The schedule consisted of only group therapy and no one on one therapy which is very important to improve one's mental health. Some of the staff were really kind shoutout to Mycah, Astrid, Silvia, and Tyler, but the rest of the staff were rude for absolutely no reason at all. For the psychiatrist i feel neutral towards him but half of the kids at the mental hospital absolutely HATED him, he would constantly push kids release dates on the very day they were supposed to get released. Other than that the food was nice and the rooms themselves were okay. I feel neutral about this place just slightly leaning towards a bad experience if that makes sense. read more

Stay: July 7-14, 2026 I voluntarily checked myself into Vista Del Mar because I wanted help. Instead, my experience was far more stressful and traumatic than I expected. I will NEVER do that again. When I arrived, I was told there wasn't a bed available and that my blood pressure was too high, so I was sent to the ER by ambulance. I had driven myself to avoid that. I was alone, far from my home in Santa Maria, after reassuring my kids I'd be okay. The ER staff were kind, but despite repeatedly asking for anxiety medication, I didn't receive any for almost 24 hours. Once I finally did, my blood pressure dropped to a normal range within about an hour. That was incredibly frustrating because I had been saying my anxiety was making things worse from the beginning. After nearly 26 hours in the ER with little sleep and most of my regular medications stopped, I returned to Vista Del Mar exhausted, hungry, and with a severe headache. It took about two hours to get Tylenol, and I was told I had missed my meals and couldn't even have a sandwich. I honestly thought I was dreaming. The unit often felt chaotic. Some patients behaved in ways that made the environment feel unsafe and increased everyone's anxiety. When I needed help using the phone to call my son, another patient helped me because staff did not. After my son contacted the patient advocate, everything changed. A manager came onto the unit, checked on patients, inspected rooms, and made sure orientation was finally held. I had already been there almost a week. His presence made me feel much safer. I do want to recognize the staff members who were genuinely kind. The nurse who discharged me, the front office staff, and the security guard treated me with compassion and respect. Thank you for letting me charge my phone and for treating me like a person. I spent seven days at Vista Del Mar. When I left, I had to ask for some of my personal belongings, including my toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant etc.. I never got mine but everyone else did. I checked myself in during one of the hardest times of my life because I wanted help. While I met some wonderful people, my overall experience left me feeling unheard, unsupported, and less safe than when I arrived. I sincerely hope improvements are made so future patients receive the compassionate and timely care they deserve. read more

In 2025 I attempted to end my life. After taking a large number of pills, I called my husband to say goodbye. He stayed on the phone with me, convinced me to make myself throw up, and urged me to call 911 to make sure I received immediate medical attention. I regretted my actions immediately, and I truly believe his actions, and my will to live saved my life. I was transported to the hospital for emergency treatment. After I was medically stabilized, I was placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold and transferred to Vista Del Mar. While I understand that these decisions were made under mental health protocols, the experience was incredibly difficult during one of the most vulnerable moments of my life. I hope mental health facilities continue to work toward providing compassionate, trauma-informed care that helps patients feel safe, heard, and supported as they begin to recover. Upon arrival, I was taken to a small room where I was instructed to remove my clothing and change into facility issued clothes and underwear. During this process, the two women overseeing the intake stood nearby and laughed, which left me feeling humiliated and dehumanized during one of the most vulnerable moments of my life. This experience was particularly difficult because I live with CPTSD related to repeated traumatic sexual assault in my childhood, as well as a traumatic chronic health journey. Being treated without dignity in that moment immediately made me feel unsafe. The next morning, I went to the communal area for breakfast. Another patient introduced himself and quickly began making comments that made me increasingly uncomfortable. While I was eating a banana, he told me I looked pretty eating it and continued trying to flirt with me. Feeling uneasy, I returned to my room. Throughout the day, he repeatedly walked past my door and stared at me. Eventually, I gathered the courage to tell staff that I felt unsafe and uncomfortable. The response I received was alarming. I was told not to worry because he "likes the small young ones." As a small, young woman who had already expressed concerns for my safety, hearing that only heightened my fear. Rather than reassuring me, it felt as though my concerns were being dismissed while simultaneously confirming that I fit the description of the type of person he targeted. I was later told protective measures would be put in place, but the behavior continued. He repeatedly returned to my room, hovered outside my door, and caused me to feel unsafe enough that I could not sleep. One night, he attempted to enter my room. He walked right up to my bed, I knew that look, I knew his intentions. I wanted to die all over again. I told him to leave, in a sharp and loud enough manner that a male nurse responded. The patient then became aggressive toward the nurse and attempted to fight him. I am deeply grateful to that nurse for intervening. Thank you. read more

To add to my past review, their nurses, are basically paid to hangout with each other all day, and only talked to each other, constantly breaking HIPAA by talking as loud as they could about another patient, laughing about that poor person behind their back, right infront of another patient's room. The website at the time had false advertising, saying one could walk about the grounds, no, we were confined to a small hall with patient rooms on each side. They wouldn't let my very kind female roommate who tried to end her life because of postpartum depression walk the halls, because it was against the rules, but they let the guy who kept trying to sexually assault me, walk about just fine. Do better. I also got my period while in their custody and they didn't have much in the way of products, I had to use the paper rolls in my bathroom. Do better. read more

The following day, during visiting hours, my husband came to see me. The same patient then attempted to physically attack him. At that point, I was terrified not only for my own safety but for my husband's as well. To the point I asked him not to visit again, and that I would figure my way out, to just try and survive. I repeatedly wanted to be moved to a safer environment or placed in a women only unit. Instead, I remained in a coed setting despite my history of extreme sexual trauma and repeated reports that I felt unsafe. If you are a survivor of sexual assault seeking help during a mental health crisis, I would strongly encourage you to ask detailed questions about safety procedures and housing arrangements before ever agreeing to treatment at this facility. For the remainder of my stay, I barely left my room. I avoided the common areas, did not feel comfortable using the restroom unless absolutely necessary, struggled to eat, and spent much of my time in a state of fear and hypervigilance. They also kept trying to make me pop pills to get me to sleep or calm down my anxiousness, instead of removing the actual problem or sitting down and talking to me. I refused to take the pills every time. I had completely lost trust in them at that point. In my experience, many staff members appeared indifferent to the distress I was expressing. Rather than helping me heal from a suicide attempt, the experience worsened my mental health and left lasting emotional scars. To this day, aspects of that stay continue to haunt me. I was also unable to locate any patient complaint forms despite asking questions about reporting concerns. My understanding is that patients should have access to a grievance process at all times, and I found the lack of visible information regarding complaints very concerning and troubling. Finally, for a facility whose purpose is mental health treatment, I was disappointed by the lack of therapeutic opportunities. There was very little meaningful support beyond a group session where many patients did not even have an opportunity to share their experiences. Patients in crisis need more than supervision, they need consistent access to therapy, support, and compassionate care. Please make a change, we need batter health care systems in place, and people who are hired on who are actually trained and equipped to work there. This was my experience, and unfortunately it is one I will never forget. Vista Del Mar. Do not respond to me with your performative response. I already made a verbal statement when I got out, and now with more time in between the awful care you provided, I have had the chance to compose myself, and leave this review. One year out from my suicidal attempt, with absolutely no help from your atrociously harmful, terribly run, and completely useless facility. read more

My son has been here twice. Once when he was 12 and another time when he was 19. It was not by my or his choosing. It was a disaster both times. It only traumatized him and did not help him in the least. DO NOT GO THERE. read more

I was a patient here in 2021 and I was there for housing issues ( not eating, drinking, showering) and self harm. There was a time this girl was screaming outside and having a whole code and I was hiding in my room and crying and the security walked in with my food and saw I was upset and sat down and just talked. Not just breathe and move on. Just talked. He showed me what comfort foods I should try and if I wanted to draw. I loved how he treated the patients like kids who just need extra time not kids who you have to be watching your back every second read more

The staff was nice and the food was good but the doctor was shady and wanted to keep my son an extra 2 days for no reason, he also tried to diagnose him with severe depression when he didn't have any symptoms overall this place isn't the best for a psych ward. read more

This place used to be good, now my partner doesn't want to go back because of the following changes. 1. Lack of actives to do such as items in the day rooms like chess, cards, or even several paperback books. 2. No more Netflix- Yes this hospital used to allow their voluntary patients to watch Netflix (and choose what to watch) in 2019. This was a very nice break from the reality of being in a locked facility. This small $20 luxury gave her and I positive things to talk about during our daily visits. And we are both very disappointed that this is no longer the case. 3. There is no more outside walks - Yes, my partner in 2019 was allowed to be chaperoned on a walk around the hospital campus and see the deer because staff trusted her. This seems counter intuitive but allowing "high functioning" patients to go on supervised walks is beneficial to their experience and dissolves the feeling of being confined even when going back inside the hospital building. I really hope someone from upper management reads this because these pointers are some things my partner liked about vista when she used to say "it's not like the other hospitals" but now I'm trying to convince her to consider going voluntarily but she's saying it feels too confined nowadays .... Please change Vista. read more

loved it there nice view cool staff good food awsome room, good day room, patio, and activities. The therapists were so nice and helpful I feel so much better read more

I tried to kill myself and I was at the ER then they admitted me here it was honestly a very great place. It was clean they let us watch TV the groups were very interactive and they let us speak are mind. Overall in the 8 days I was here it was great. If I ever had to be placed in a mental hospital again I would choose Vista Del Mar Behavioral Hospital, and if any of my friends needed to be sent to a mental hospital I would this one. The only thing that needs to be worked on is the food. Thank you to everyone that cared for me I deeply appreciate you all!!!!!! read more

Do not send your friends or family members to this facility. It is run like a prison, the staff is extremely unresponsive, the furniture is uncomfortable, and the medical staff is almost nonexistent. People need dignity, respect, and compassionate care. None of those can be found at Vista Del Mar. God forbid you should need to contact someone about your loved one's care. They are unbelievably unresponsive. Stay away. Find a different place for your loved one. This is literally the last place you should select. read more

I am not satisfied with the medical care provided to my relative. They never allowed me to speak to the doctor and he never responded to my faxes because they didn't give me his email. The doctor prescribed Seroquel regardless of the side effects he presented, he prescribed benadryl for his insomnia. He simply tried to calm the patient down and discharge him even when he was not feeling well. Regarding the treatment of the nurses, I am thankful, they were treated him well and with us they were very helpful. Also he was always satisfied with the food he was offered read more

Absolutely the best support, advise an help for my teenager. Thank you so much!

I advise anyone who is considering on sending their loved ones here to not do so. i was here for a couple days before being transferred and they treated me terrible all while 3 months pregnant. This place is not clean, nothing is ever sanitized and the floors are very sticky. food is not at all bearable let alone barely edible. Please stay away from this place. read more

There's honestly too much to say. A lone psychiatrist from Kaiser for unexplained reasons recommended "vista del mar" despite 300 miles between my town & VDM, & not to mention at least two dozen different hospitals in between. The town I live in had 5 separate psych facilities & most of them were considered respectable establishments. I was 13 years old at the time & only spoke with this psychologist for less than 15 minutes. She did however speak to my emotionally vulnerable mother who is an addict so who knows what they spoke about for their hour and a half long "session", anyhow my mom and I went home. Everything was good. It was just a regular visit with a new therapist apparently I thought. Three days later my parents asked me if I wanted to go on a trip to the bay area so they could buy a new car & we could visit the beach or whatever. My parents rarely did anything with me like this so I was happy to go. Eventually I realized we were taking a different road. My parents lied. My dad pretended to have a need for a restroom in order to make a phone call. And off we went to buy a car? Nope. My parents dropped me off without a word. Two men seized me despite not doing anything other than trying to understand what the hell is happening. Once i did understand, I calmly & clearly asserted to them that they were making a bad decision & it would effectively kill my career plans of being a helicopter pilot(I have two flight instructors in my family. It was a feasible goal & I had a full understanding of what it required of me.) Being put on an involuntary hold would effectively destroy this career path(and many others. 5150s are basically like having a felony on your record. You basically are being set up as an easy target to victimize.) Anyhow I explained this to my parents & asserted they were making the wrong decision & I would not forget it. They told me that I was wrong & didnt know what I was talking about. I told them to call either of my uncles and ask them. They didnt. They did however ask the doctor who just now shows up. So I explained everything again, and when I asked the doctor about the specific repercussions of a psych hold on your personal rights as a citizen. He lied. I brought up dozens of examples & the doctor outright lied. "your record can be sealed" and my naive but paying parents believed that shit too. Pretty pathetic when a kid knows more than their parents, Its stranger than anything though because it shouldnt be that way.....Or is it that they are immoral people who are willing to lie & cheat to get their peace & quiet back? I had every right to be angry. I had a plan & it didnt involve mom so she shut it down. I was the only kid of hers that was remotely kind to her so I guess she couldnt stand it that I thought they were terrible parents & that leaving them would be my salvation. Unfortunately though, this hospital visit was in the way. I found out years later that the psychologist told my parents what to say & how to lie to me in order to get me here. My parents explained to her that this would absolutely cause me to panic & that it would literally be the best way to cause me to freak out. The kaiser psychologist was adamant though. You got to lie to him & dupe him into the hospital. I find it hard to believe this wasnt intentional because Guess what? I was raped the second night I was there, by a grown ass looking man who apparently was a "patient", and of course He was super nice to me before hand & calmed me down by being the only friendly person in the building. then He asked me to ask the staff to switch rooms so we could be in the same room at night. Such innocent fun. There was only ever 2 or 3 staff members & the two wings? The male & female wings that are separete? They opperated as coed until it was time for parents to visit. The older teens were absolutely having sex. He said so many scary thing to me when he was hurting me. I didnt even consider talking about it for years. I am thankful though that I shared the info before the lawsuit occurred. Ive had people suggest i want money & only shared this once the lawsuit occurred.....but I was well aware that I couldnt sue. I dont want rape money anyhow. Psych hospitals are just so amazingly perfect if youre mentally deranged enough to enjoy raping kids. They automatically arent trusted so these rapists dont even need to wait until the kids trauma leads them to drugs& such. They can just immediately be certain that the kid they rape will keep their mouths shut. Hey carolina lady responding to these. Just stop doing it. You know this place is tainted. You are defending a place that has documented history of raping patients. If you just happen to be naive then thats ffine but you will one day understand & if you keep defending VDM then you might have to take that up with a higher power after you die. I hope for all involved that hell doesnt exist. That is however only because Im not vindictive enough to wish harm read more

I've just been released from this impatient psychiatric hospital! Although I thought I could trust their services I was so wrong! Mental health workers could care less about their patients! They go to work to socialize with their colleagues only!!! They seem to really dislike people with mental illness! The psychiatrist (Beatty) actually laughed at me!!! The group therapy only allows happy thoughts!!! Never talk about your real problems!!!! Never anyone to talk to when you need someone!!! Some one also mentioned that jail is probably kinder!!! When they discharged me they had gone through all my stuff and disorganized all of it! Now, I can't find my health care cards, drivers license etc!!! God I would try the county mental health facility!!! Unless you have really thick skin...try somewhere else!!!! read more

I had never gone to a mental hospital up until this year. So apparently my friend who I made friends there said it was one of the most shitty hospital out of all of the ones they have gone too. I liked it to some point when I was about to get discharged. To be honest the stay allowed to get away from a horrid environment at school. I never met the doctor who diagnosed with me with severe depression and started me on prozac. Like I would see him for 5 minutes on a screen. Most of the staff were really nice, like the ones who were on the q15 but beside them the other staff where lowkey butt faces. I've been off my meds for now quite some time because my local cvs can't get in contact with the doctor who prescribed them to me and the place they set me up to get therapy at won't recommend me to a psychiatrist even though I've asked and they have said I need to go to one! Also they don't actually care about us, well most of them don't. There was a few staff I loved because they actually cared. One of them once told us she does that sort of work because she herself is a mom and would want her kids to be treated nicely if they were in our situation. Besides her and like 3 others, they didn't really give a crap about most of the stuff we did. They just didn't like us going outside because we where always understaffed and even though they yelled "don't go in each others rooms" others still did. A friend I made there told me my room mate got "eaten out" in our shared room by her gf while I was still there . Guys don't send your kids here unless you are like super controlling of them. Like a month ago my friend from work ended up at Vista del Mar too and her mom apparently had called someone there and they actually upd her dose . She was supposed to get out on a tuesday before work but she called me wednesday morning crying saying she was still there. Lowkey the stay made me for fd up at the last few days. Some girl kept pissing her sheets and another guy wouldn't shower and they basically never opened the damn door to the patio or at least spray some darn air freshener in their. If you end up on a 5150, good luck ‍! read more

My daughter spent about 10 days at this facility last year. If you find out your child is being sent here, please beg the hospital to wait to see if they can find a bed elsewhere. My daughter is a vegetarian and despite telling the staff multiple times, they continued to give her meat products for every meal and then would just accept that she wasn't eating anything. There were suicide attempts by other guests. Many of the guests would self-harm, including my daughter, and the staff either didn't care or didn't monitor the guests sufficiently. When we were trying to schedule aftercare, the only IOP they looked into was Vista's IOP even though we told them we weren't interested in Vista's IOP. We asked them to contact other programs. They claimed to, but then after the fact we found that they hadn't! Maybe the staff should start doing their jobs? This time around I couldn't prevent my daughter from being sent to Vista. She was transported there last night. I plan on updating this review upon her release. read more

First off, I know part of VDM burnt down but, I think this is still important. It's taken me a long time to finally talk about this, but a few years ago when I was around 15 in my freshman year of high school, I was forced into this place for 72 hours. I had been dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts for a long time and I was in a really rough spot. My doctor basically forced my parents to take me here or the police would force me. I was a naive girl and I didn't think about the cost of being here, and saying as I was here for 9 days, I'm sure it cost my parents A LOT. Anyways, this place was super small and extremely boring. The whole process of being admitted was insane and like something out of a movie. I understand why they made me get undressed(to monitor self-harm) but it was super uncomfortable. They have a quiet room that is isolated from everyone else which I believe is for if you misbehave. Like usual,they take away anything you could use to harm yourself, and proof the rooms of sharp edges and glass. And yeah they watch you while you use the restroom. There is really nothing to do besides group sessions. Theres an outside area that's tiny and has a fence all around and one bouncy ball. Suuuppper fun. From what I remember, the staff were ok. Some were nice, but most didn't care about you. The food consisted of French fries, chicken strips, pizza, and fruit. They also didn't care if you ate. Every morning you would line up to get your vitals checked and then get your "happy pills". Like I said, there wasn't much to do. Luckily I became good friends with all the other kids there. They made it so much more bearable, but you couldn't touch each other. Sometimes they would let us play instruments. Most of the time we talked, sang songs, and threw the bouncy ball outside. It was a joke. Visiting hours were weird and basically your family and you just sat in the hallway on plastic chairs. No privacy. In all, although I didn't understand how bad it was back then, looking back on it now, I realize how problematic it was. They don't care about you. They just want money. I left that place feeling lost and I only got worse. DO NOT come here or let your family members come here. Especially children. I can't imagine what my parents went through while I was here. All they wanted was for me to come home and I was too blinded to see why. From the more recent reviews, I'm guessing it hasn't changed much. There are better places out there. read more

A generous 1 star for the adolescent inpatient program so far. I'll update if I ever receive a call back from the various people I've contacted for information about my family member. The only info I have to go off of is from my family member who tells me they didn't receive their medication, they found a sharp object in their room and used it to self harm, they weren't given the shorts or pants I provided, they've been wearing the same ER assigned pants with a hole in them for 4 days, they were given a room without a roommate even though I was told at admission they had a roommate when I explained they were scared to be in a room alone, when they arrived their room's toilet was overflowing and unusable, now that's been unclogged but their bathroom floor was still wet and smells like feces. We are actively searching for any other option at this point. read more

The staff at this hospital have no business treating patients. They are dismissive of patients needs and concerns. They refuse to let patients speak with advocates, and if you as family member try to advocate for your loved one, you are given the runaround. The staff has no compassion which should be of the utmost importance in a setting like this. Dr. Beatty is not a good psychiatrist and seems uninterested in listening to the patients. It just a glorified babysitting facility that doesn't give the patients the help the all so desperately need. Take you or your loved one ANYWHERE but there. read more

i was sent here when i was 13 years old & the patients there were the only people keeping others sane. i felt like an animal in a cage there and it did not help my mental health whatsoever and now that i am 19 i had just realized how bad the staff were and how traumatizing it was being sent here without my knowledge. i only miss the patients i met there along the way & my roommate her name was Crystal. this place is useless overall. read more

I heard that Vista del Mar hospital has reopened. I wonder if it's true. I would like to give it another chance. I've been feeling very depressed and suicidal. This despite the fact that I just bought a new car. Should be excited right? Shiiiit. I mean while being in the hospital, I don't really like being told what to do but sometimes it's good not to have to think. Very recently, I downloaded a book from Audible. It was a book that I read when I was 15 years old. At that time I was being very heavily abused physically by my step-father. While re-reading this book the other night, I didn't know this was going to happen but, all of a sudden all these flashbacks started bombarding my entire mind and body and space. Suddenly I looked at the clock, and I realized that 2 whole hours had went by. 2 HOURS!!!! Oh my god! I don't know what I was doing for 2 hours. I just know I remembered everything. Like little post-cards in my mind of still-shots of my mom dead with half her face shot off. Others too but I don't want to ew everyone out right now. Anyway, my medication isn't working, I don't feel good, and I was hoping that Vista del Mar had re-opened and that perhaps I could go back for another try. Who knows, it might just help right now. read more

A matter of fact place focusing on figuring out whats wrong and giving you the necessary information and/or meds (don't come here expecting to get suboxoned out, they're Not like that) to stabilize so you can then create a plan of care upon leaving. 90% of staff is helpful and knowledgeable most with decent bedside manners. Shout out to G Ward's staff RN Christine G., Mary Jane, Kelly, and LMFT Meredith R. for being super kind and attentive. Extra thanks to Dr. Sharma who even over zoom, on a weekend was the only Dr. to actually Listen to my symptoms and diagnose me correctly with the right accompaniment of non narcotic medications. If you're wanting a cushy, one on one, lengthy experience, this not for you. read more

My relationship with this hospital began in 2010 when I suffered an unfortunate life-altering trauma. At that time, I found myself inpatient at Vista Del Mar (VDM) with Dr. Atman Reyes as my psychiatrist. I felt comfortable with Dr. Reyes and began seeing him outpatient until he left his private practice in 2017. As I live 3 hours away, and in having strong impulsivity, Dr. Reyes admitted me inpatient many times over the years not only for stabilization but for the sake of safety. At the end of 2019 I admitted myself for the first time as I began having manic episodes as well as SI. I was hospitalized approximately four times between October 2019 and February 2020 now seeing Dr. Ruths. Between February 2020 and November 2020, I was stable on the medications prescribed by Dr. Ruths until I became extremely depressed in November 2020 and again admitted myself to VDM. Dr. Ruths was again my doctor. In November 2020, 1200 mg of Lithium was prescribed, however, it did not work as before. I began having severe SI and came back in-patient in December 2020 (dates are approximate). This second admission to VDM Dr. Beatty was now my doctor and she prescribed Vraylar and sent me home with a sample packet. I found out my insurance did not cover it. Therefore, medication wise, I was in the same state as when I was discharged in November. This led to a third hospitalization which was at the request of Christy, therapist of the outpatient services department. I was participating in the IOP and I gave an honest check-in to which Christy was concerned about. She called me and during our conversation she asked me if I would be willing to come back inpatient for a third time. She stated I would have to be discharged from the IOP to be readmitted inpatient, but that all they would have to do is readmit me to the IOP after discharge. I agreed and readmitted myself. Prior to the third admission, Dr. Beatty did the pre-authorization for me for the Vraylar, but by the time the Vraylar was approved, I developed some adverse side effects to the Vraylar and determined it was not going to work after all. When I discharged the third time, Dr. Beatty prescribed Latuda, which after returning home and in trying to fill the prescription I found the insurance did not cover Latuda and a preauthorization had to be done just as with the Vraylar. In the three self-admits, the only critical changes made to medications was the addition of the 1200mg of Lithium prescribed by Dr. Ruths the first admission. The other two admissions were in vain as I was sent home with medication changes to where the prescriptions from Dr. Beatty could not be filled without prior authorizations. February 2021, STILL having issues with intense SI, having two prescriptions unable to be filled, and in knowing that the practice of treating mental illness is just that - a practice, I DID AS I ONLY KNEW TO DO - I called VDM, as where else could I go to ensure my safety and that I was not going to be mistreated? When I called VDM, I was told by the admission department that I was no longer welcome as a patient as Dr. Beatty along with Hospital Administration felt I did not seem to be satisfied with the treatment I was receiving. Even prior to the refusal of inpatient admittance, I was not accepted back into the IOP when I was being discharged the third admittance as apparently according to Brandy, I was "not engaged enough with the program." Complete different information than I received prior to Christy asking me to go back inpatient for the third time. I am absolutely appalled at the fact Vista Del Mar Hospital has refused to admit me inpatient anymore, literally kicking me to the curb at a time of desperation. All prior inpatient admittances were made at the decision of Dr. Reyes. If nothing else, as he wished, I was safe at VDM which helped to allow for the treatment process. I have sent a couple of complaint letters in the past - complaints that have been proven valid!! I will not allow myself to be mistreated in any way and I will advocate for myself when the situation at hand deems it necessary. It is unfortunate for me that you have all new staff in that I had a rapport with several of the nurses that are no longer there. The place I have spent over 10 years seeking refuge with my mental illness - an illness I did not cause or choose - literally turned its back on me at a very critical time. As just a random person, I was rudely referred to the ER. read more

This hospital is very unsafe also very short staffed, not to mention they had a NOC RN just fired for having drugs on her at work that fell out her pocket and was picked up by another worker. ALL BAD what if a patient was able to take these drugs that were dropped on the floor, it's suicides, rape charges, patients eating hot packs, patients piercing themselves and now end up having medication found by CNO in the patients room. They also have 2 nurses that give out wrong medications to patients to also charting incorrectly in patient files for a different patient with no consequences to these nurses. But they are so quick to fire staff illegally and have a cover up story on why they were let go. This screams don't leave your loved ones here ever. All this facility cares about is filling up beds for money, this is all that was talked about in my meetings on a daily basis, never made it about being short staffed or that fact that it is dangerous to fill beds did the CEO care ??? NO, now they had no choice to close down a unit and move patients for being short staffed only bc the state is on their asses and it's not even close to being over. They think by removing camera access to staff that things won't get out well keep thinking that Vista bc things will always come out for me to find out always believe that. Keep trying yo cover and cover bc I have eyes 24 hours a day sucks to know that an employee you did dirty knows all your dirty secrets. Stay away from this hospital you will be thankful you DID!!! read more

I have always know the name Vista Del Mar but I never really knew what they did. Now that Maya works there she has been so wonderful with really working with the community to bring awareness on just how they can impact the community and truly make a difference. You never know what someone can be going through but there is a ton of resources that are available to help. Maya keep up the great work on shining light on a much needed cause that can help so many! read more

My 14 year old daughter was taken to this hospital late last night. I have received three calls this morning from various clinical staff updating me on her care and providing answers to questions I had. I have also been able to speak with my daughter by phone. She feels safe and comfortable in the hospital. I will update this post at the end of her stay - but wanted to take a moment to record a positive admission experience. read more

I visited a loved one there recently and was truly horrified at the level of rudeness and disinterest shown by the staff. It's like it was the 1960s and nurse Ratched would show up at any moment. Truly a shop of horrors. read more

I gave this facility three stars as I was not impressed with their care coordination and updates. I had to call to request an update on my loved one. I was never given a discharge date for my family member, no one from the care team reached out to me to discuss our family member's progress or rehabilitation. I left multiple messages for the billing department to coordinate payment and no one called myself or spouse. I do have to say that the intake coordinator, receptionists, and nursing staff were fabulous. Those are the only positives that came out of this. I don't know if they are short staffed or what but when dealing with adolescents I would think a meeting with the patients family would be something scheduled? read more

My daughter was place on 72 hour hold. Everytime I tried to call to talk to her, i would be told to call back in 15 minutes. Then the doctor didnt call me. Come to find out they had started to medicate her without my consent! When i picked her up, she showed me her new cuts. Said she learned how to cut herself with more objects and how she made more friends who are like her, "crazy." The communication is horrible. Would definitely not recommend this place. read more

My teenage daughter being admitted and there for a week was by far the hardest, most heart breaking thing my family has ever gone through. Without sharing too much, I can say that my daughter needed help and she got it. The therapist, managing nurse, and case manager were all amazing. The nurses on duty while I was at the visiting hour were accommodating and genuinely concerned. Even when there were some discrepancies and miscommunications in the first 24 hours, every staff member was accountable and apologetic. Again, this proved genuine care and concern. While I do have some suggestions for them regarding "families first day" and I wish I would have heard from the DR more, hence the 4 out of 5 stars, the bottom line is, my daughter came out much better and with reasonable/effective medication, as well as tools for her mental health challenges. I will be writing a formal letter with my suggestions for how best to "orient" new families. I hope we never have to go through anything like this again but at least I know there are amazing resources and caring staff available at VDM, should there ever be a reoccurrence. read more

The staff at Vista Del Mar work hard to care for and support the needs of all their patients. I happened to be there when a patient became highly escalated and turned violent. I was impressed by how quickly and efficiently the staff worked to ensure the safety of all their patients and visitors. They, without hesitation, moved all other patients to a safe and secure location until they were able to safely de-escalate the patient. They also moved myself to a safe room and had a staff member brought in to ensure my safety. Once the area was secured and safe to return, the staff brought in the patient who I was there to see. During this process, the staff remained professional, respectful and responsive. Thank you to all the staff who help to ensure the success, health and healing of those who need the extra love and support! read more

Thank you to the intake nurse, residential staff, social worker and doctors for the excellent care my loved one recently received in your facility. She was treated with care & respect which is so very important. read more

Yo this place was tits! Add me on Instagram. Sarah and kailey were the best mental health workers there and they need to get a raise. Food is great and I'm still alive so it must be worth a shot if you're off your wagon. @stranglemagic read more

My daughter was there just a few days ago. The staff and Dr's at this place don't care for OUR kids! Drugs and more drugs are poured thru thier weak bodies every single day!! As most of us know, the medication is a multi billion dollar industry so all they care is how much medication they can put in those poor bodies that we'll give them big profits. Im a big on healthy diet and exercise. I asked the administration and Dr if they knew what my daughter had been eating and nobody knew. I told them on their faces you guys don't know because you don't care what they eat!! Eating healthy meals and exercising would bring healing but that's not part of their daily agenda. If you're taking one of your love ones there, ask for a special diet and have them record it and get a copy. Review the medication they're giving your love one. Don't believe everything the Dr says. They're not always right! Read all the warnings and side affects of the medication their administrating. Ask lots of questions. Thanks read more

i was here from dec 30-jan 4 n let me just say this place does NOT give a single fuck about any of their patients. i was heavily medicated my whole stay, i couldn't even talk on the phone with my family without slurring my words. if you dont eat or poke at everything on your tray they mark it down and you are not allowed back in your room to even use the restroom after meals. OH and my first day there an older nurse who was filling out my paperwork asked if i believed in god and told me to pray with her. overall horrible place if i could give zero stars i would but the one star goes to the beautiful patients i was held with read more

Therapists work hard, amazing job done by all of them. The team work is great and we all support each other. Lots of laughter and a good amount of job satisfaction. It will be awesome watching VDM grow and help more people. I see so much caring from nurses and mental health workers and case managers. It can be challenging but I believe VDMH will continue to face the growing pains and thrive. read more

While in hospital a disc became bulged and I had mind bending pain .I was transported to the emergency room. I was released with pain medication but still barely able move. I could not transport myself from wheelchair to bed. A nurse said they were not trained as a nurse's aid and would not help me into bed. I was left to sleep in my chair. When I complained another nurse accused me of playing games and looking for sympathy. There was a decidedly different attitude from some staff members. A staff member accidentally through my dentures into laundry during a safety check. After a search they found that they had showed up at their laundry service and subsequently thrown away. They accepted responsibility. After getting a quote from a dentist it was like pulling teeth ( excuse the pun) to get them to acknowledge they were going to pay. I was given the run a round. It took several phone calls by myself and others until they finally agreed to cut the check for dentures I had paid for in good faith.. They do have some excellent Psychiatrists and therapists and programs there . Theresa Delaney. read more