Great hospital good staff kind energy good people very nice television enlightened people

Have only been here 28 hours but have many concerns. Friendly staff, old building. Have an elaborate full schedule of "activities" and group meetings but there is no evidence of them happening. I am slowly typing this on a defective PC, the one for patients use. It needs attention to avoid frustration. Here's a cheap way to save, tired evening snack (OMG Lorne Doones and Baked potato chips), no patients could look forward to that a 2nd night in a row. The primary therapeutic tool is hours of boredom. I wanted Excedrin for my migraines. So far have not produced any. Consider your options. read more

Half of the people commenting are seriously misinformed. Many of the individuals being discussed are court-ordered patients or people who were released on the condition that they comply with treatment--often the alternative is jail time. As for claims about being "stripped naked and injected," that is simply not how it works. I've visited my nephew many times and have overheard these conversations firsthand. Injections are only administered when a patient repeatedly refuses to take the medication prescribed by their doctor and is decompensating. At that point, it becomes a matter of safety and stabilization so they can actually get better. My nephew has admitted himself voluntarily plenty of times. So to the staff who genuinely help--thank you. And to those who continue to spread misinformation, I truly hope you are never placed in a situation where you or someone you love is struggling with severe mental illness and needs this level of care. #seekhelp #mentalhealthmatters #getwellsoon read more

John George Psychiatric Pavilion - My nephew god bless him #god bless you and everyone - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - San Leandro, California

All the institution does is lock you up. And force you to give them your blood. Or injections when you have right to refuse medication. They confuse you like suggesting don't take showers when they should be telling you hot shower like how to get out. They said 3 a week is acceptable but I have to shower every day, Did everything they led me on They still wouldn't let me go. They do not let you leave to go to work. If you have money you only get to order out to limited places, (like card). So you supposed to save somehow and drain your funds to eat? ...Mediocre take-out rip offs - cause you're in here. Stingy with seconds. Do not order desserts at pizza places unless you know it's good like lava cakes. Their cookies/brownies not what they say. Got anxiety from Villa Fairmont. Can't be still. Got smell. Uncanny. Long time to go away. Held me too long. They do not let you leave to go to work. I have reasons to say they stole my hair. Put me through lice to get to it. Otherwise I wouldn't ask to cut. read more

I give a 0 star I had a really bad experience with the staff , my daughter told me the first time she was there they treat bad the patients I didn't trust her but on her second time staying she used to called me every day and suddenly nothing I was worried about her calling and calling but the staff just said we are changing shift " we busy" I can't heard you and then hang up i went there to visit her and they said " she is sleeping " I requested to talked to the nurse and get some information ! What treatment she is receiving something the security said come another day or call! Really!!! I was worried about my daughter. I ordered also many times food for her and she told me they didn't gave her food to her. Please do something ! The staff just avoided me when I called or when I went there to visited her also they are never spot for parking " only by permit" all the time full for the visitors . They should put cameras and investigate read more

Phone system doesnt work well. I was given incorrect information about a a patient. Staff doesnt seem to be happy working there, not very friendly nor helpful read more

As a family member of a patient here, the workers seem to care about the patients and want them to get better but the communication is absolutely horrendous as they aren't communicating well with patients on treatment and possibly discharge date. I know that they had an issue in 2016 from patients leaving early with overcrowded issues as Alameda County has the largest amount of 5150 holds in California. The overall nurses said that the patient would only stay 4 days but some doctors think the patient wasn't treated enough and would hold more which I do think is better long term but messes with patients moods when they need help and stability now more than ever. read more

Terrible, terrible, terrible. This place should honestly be shut down. The staff seems to be amused by the pain of the patients. I was bullied into stripping down naked infront of all the staff, about five or six staff members both male and female (I am a 29 year old female). One male said "nothing to see". Another male laughed. One African woman stared into my holding cell like a demon herself. I tore a piece of the brown paper bag infront of me and created a cross to hang in the small window they would peek into and laugh at me through. They asked me if I would be taking any medication, I said no. They all laughed together and said "that's exactly what I wanted to hear!" I did not know what they meant by that but soon realized that they found it fun to turn me over, face down and my naked booty up, to inject me in the butt with GOD KNOWS WHAT! I laid in the "holding cell" and cried to myself to remember who I am and what I stand for no matter what, and I will do so every time. This hopsital took absolutely not one grain of my soul, but made me see how low some souls will go for a cheap paycheck. Thank you Lane!!!! Because I slept on your bedcot which says "The Devil Lives Here. They do not help you get better. They lie and medicate you. If you want to leave fast, stay quiet and ask for a doctor if you really are crazy. Good luck!!!" This place is for literal demons. The workers here should live in this hospital and get treated by themselves. Completely sick! SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN FOR GOOD. THE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE PATIENTS HERE!!!! If you don't believe me. Check the video recordings for Sunday, August 10th around ... 2:00AM-7:00AM (should be somewhere in the middle of those two times, maybe closer to 4am -- very long night, they gave me little to no information). I am a petite, medium skin toned, 5'0 female around 100 pounds even! OH YEAH. And I never got to speak to a doctor! And WAS NEVER FED! I went 48+ HOURS WITHOUT EATING a single thing! I was only provided juice & water! They literally starved me! They starved me of basic human resources (I started my period and bled all over myself) and never sat me down once to diagnose me! WHAT IS THE POINT?! SERIOUSLY! If I receive any bill in the mail. I AM SUING! read more

John George Psychiatric Hospital is absolutely the worst place to go if you have any mental health needs. Everything you hear about this place is indeed true. During my 3 day stay here, I was misgendered by various staff, talked to like a child by brainless, robotic security guards and witnessed several instances of fighting. Staff did not address my medical concerns appropriately, and the only positive thing about this place is Lana, the social worker. Without her help, I wouldn't be in the transitional treatment program I'm in now. Big shout out to her! Also, nurses CJ and John were excellent staff. Everyone and everything else? Not so much. You are basically fed to the wolves and made to sit in a psychiatric ER with literally nothing to do to entertain yourself. It's worse than anything I've ever seen before. Run FAR away from this hellhole! read more

John George Psychiatric Pavilion - Hell on Earth! - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - San Leandro, California

Not professional not a place to feel safe. No empathy: the Security is a joke at this hospital. A disrespectful security girl Jennifer, was busy talking on her cell. I asked if I can use my laptop for my fam inside. She said ask the nurse. She failed at her job and when I was leaving started yelling at me like this was a ghetto reality show. No class no respect and no brains. This is a stressful environment and Indont see how anyone can heal here. If the security girl gets to disrespect anyone who is there to protect people? No empathy she was just busy eating Taco Bell and complaining about her job to whoever she was yelling at. Check the cameras at 5:30-6pm on 3/3/07 Monday. She needs to be written up. I'm not the 1st or the last person she takes her bad mood out on. read more

I came to visit my friend who was placed here under false pretenses. He was lied on and they placed him on a 5150 hold which they then extended to a 5250 hold for no reason other than to flex their power. My friend literally doesn't have any history of causing harm to himself nor others. He doesn't have any mental illness either and being here is putting his job in jeopardy and he cannot contact them nor show up for work. He is literally suffering more from being here despite their claims that they are trying to help. When I came to visit today the staff was extremely rude to me. One of them held a clipboard in his face in a noticeably bad manner. He asked them to stop and I also requested they stop doing that. The nurse and doctor in charge of him were yelling at us and treated me very unprofessionally. When I stated I wanted to complain they then asked me to leave and banned me from visiting him. They would not give me the way to file my complaint and at one point they medicated my friend against his well by holding him down and injecting him with a drug that had my friend feeling and acting weird. My friend literally doesn't do drugs or alcohol either. I'm concerned for his safety and well being here. I've been calling but am getting no answers. Never come here unless you want to be harmed! read more

The staff and security at John George were very professional but not necessarily always friendly because understandably the mental sick of the patients there needs a little "Tough Love " so to speak. Special thanks to kuya Joseph a fellow Filipino who set me free of the hatred I had felt towards my own ethnicity. The female nurses were Hella Hot too lol read more

Well I do have to say I NEVER hope to be back here again. First of all when I got admitted I was asked for my social security number, I told the nurse whom was Karen that I didn't know it by heart because my smart phone was not on me. She proceeded to constantly question me about the social security number and I just said I DONT know it if I had my phone it would be easier. Then a minute later the doctor (Fransisco) comes over to me. I asked for a female doctor because I am more comfortable with them, doctor just gave a hard answer on "we can't guarantee that but we'll try our best" thank god the conversation was quick. while I was there I only had MALE doctors and I requested FEMALE perfect way to dismiss my feelings. Next thing I told Karen that I was going to remove my wristband, she offered to cut it. But I just yanked it off by hand she told me I wasn't listening. I KNOW what I am doing. Then she told me I was being so sweet to her just because I returned her pen so I can sign paperwork. I LITERALLY told her "you're going to say that I'm sweet after you just said I'm not going to listen" she responded "im tired and I just want to go home" that's no excuse! Now onto day 1 of my stay I checked the breakfast and it was something I wouldn't eat, therefore the staff wouldn't call the kitchen and asked for a specific meal they pretty much did that for breakfast lunch and dinner. So majority of the time i was staying home I ate cereal, fruit cups and cookies. Then Lana the social worker came and chatted with me and after we chatted I wanted some updates. So I asked the nurse forgot the name but she was an older African woman and she said she'll send her a message. I waited ALL day for Lana and she never came back to me. So I just went to bed. A new nurse came in and I asked for an extra blanket because there was NO heater and NO pillows so I just cocooned myself in blankets. The nurse never came back with the blanket so I was freezing the whole night. Then the next morning came. Lana came back and she told me she would come back to me after we chatted. She never came back. When I saw her walking I had to block her way and told her I wanted to speak with her. She acknowledged me thank god. So I asked her if there was any updates and she said the doctor has to be the one to update. Waited ALL day and the finally a doctor came up one and told me I was getting discharged because I don't meet 5150 criteria which he was correct. So I told nurse Jeanette I was feeling anxious about who's picking me up she gave NO advice just said "I have to walk you out" so I got dressed and walked out peacefully. If I would give 0 stars I would. DONT put your trust in the doctors and social workers because they don't do anything just chat with you for one day and expect an update within the next couple days. The only positive thing I'd give is they let me watch a whole season of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air because I was bored and none of the other programs were working. Also the other patients welcomed me and helped me out which kept me calm. Other than that HORRIBLE experience!!! I do hope all the John George staff sees this read more

Be careful you don't want your right to choose anything everything and possibly be stolen from you. My son who is an adult is slow in thinking and often times frustrated. This last visit to John George turned into a living nightmare. A doctor decided to remove all Rights from my son and within 3 days a court hearing was held without my knowledge to protest this ball from rolling forward. Today they moved my son straight into the pit forever to live in a psychiatric institution. He does not deserve this. You are just a monetary gain for funding to keep their funding coming in. It happens every day. There's probably thousands of people incarcerated in lockdown facilities that do not deserve that punishment. It would have been better to go a different route get help. Do not trust in the system. My concern is that if you're not crazy really when you go in, you will be changed by being made to live amongst the real crazy people. Rights should never be stolen from you where you do not have a say where they are going to take you. No questions are truly answered. No body to help. Choose a different way to help your loved one. Stay away from John George by all means. Sincerely from a loving mother who wouldn't wish this nightmare to happen another one. You cannot trust them. Their medication the restraints the food who knows for sure what it's like in there read more

I was a patient at John George for about 24 hours and it was byfar the worst 24 hours of my life. When I was admitted I was left in a room with no direction of what to do. I sat there and none of the "mental health specialists" or nurses approached or welcomed me. The first person that approached me was another patient that made me feel uncomfortable and began to snort crack in front of me, right in the middle of the facility, and continued to do so. None of the workers noticed. The workers just stand back and make fun of everyone in there facility and refer to all of them as "crackheads." There is no structure at all whatsoever. This place does not care about people's mental health at all. None of the workers made me feel comfortable at any point. I genuinely feel bad for anyone who gets admitted there because nobody in their staff cares about their mental health at all. read more

Worst place ever, they rob you, sedate you to the point of being too out of it to make any exit plan before you're getting shoved out the door just as you realize your coat and wallet and phone no longer exist to you in this world as you know it and nobody's heard from you to know where you've been at where your coming from because they didn't let you use the phone. read more

Just an update, He went there a second time ...so they can actually release him ANYTIME up to 72 hours. Especially if the place is full and it's usually on the weekends.They kept him for 24 hours and was released with papers and medication. Luckily I changed medical plans and I switched to Kaiser. He is doing better, more stable with medication and a therapist. If your loved one needs care, I pray for you because at first it's so hard to get help or information. Many thanks to the San Leandro and Hayward Police departments who recognized my son's sickness by not putting him in General Pop. God bless! read more

As a former employee, this is what I can tell you. The place used to be good when it was run by country of Alameda. Previous names was Alameda County Medical Center (John George Psychiatric Pavilion). That's when they upheld values, and cared about employees and clients. After corporate took over, the name changed to Alameda Health System. Now all they care about is profit. They take severely problematic pts and keep them for long periods knowing they don't have any services to offer them. Highly assaultive pts are let loose in the unit, and they have two staff watching them, which still doesn't prevent the pt from assaulting others. All patients are mixed in all units. I've seen too many incidents like that. Staff are blamed for everything that happens, management is too holy for any mistakes. In my opinion staff is set up to fail, I noticed that a lot too. There are cameras everywhere to spay on staff... they're not there for any other reason. If management wants you gone, they'll come up with anything and let you go. Management behavior towards employees confirms that statement. Nepotism is a major problem there. 80% of the staff is Nigerian, because of the fact that almost all managers are Nigerian! I noticed managers cover their own kind, they rarely let reports on their own kind get passed them to higher ups. Reports of the New Director of Nursing goes to employee houses to their parties and they have drinking sessions are circulated among everyone. The conflict of interest is strong there. I'm relieved to finally leave that place and give my energy and skills to a job that deserves it. I hope they clean up the place, and someday when they do, I'll work there again. Because I have the compassion to help who are in need of it. Hope my insight help others when they want to apply or send their loved ones to this God forsaken place. read more

SO HELPFUL. STAFF WAS AMAZING AND SO NICE. DOCTORS WERE HELPFUL, AND EVEN MADE ME LAUGH. THEIR PROFESSIONALISM EXCEEDED MY STANDARDS AND STAFF MADE SURE EVERYONE WAS SAFE. I have been to this hospital many times and know that the reviews all seem horrible. it is true, john george has a bad reputation. But they are making extremely good changes. I was admitted 4 years ago and thought they were the worst place on earth. If i had to rate it today i would rate it 10/10 because i had the greatest experience. the water in the showers was hot, they made sure everyone was covid free, they provided delicious meals-- lasagna and hot fish with veggies. if there was one thing i could change, is that they have no ice packs. i asked for ice packs for my bruises that i came in with but they never got back to me with that. i was totally impressed with the changes of the ward, and all i have to say is keep up the great work John George!! you made me feel happy and sane, when my life was going down the drain. i still feel bitter about my grandmother who is in the hospital -- the reason i went to john george, but i feel better knowing there were so many people to listen to me and take my pain away. now i can be productive in my grandmother's recovery and can spend the last few months, doing just that, spending time with grandma. read more

I'm dumbfounded on how they ever got accreditation. This is the worst place ever. People sleeping on the floor. They have you speak to a Psychiatrist at most five minutes. They are constantly sedating people just to knock them out. read more

i got a review for the doctors in the people that work at john george and Kaiser hospital, who without contacting me, or the emergency contact, ( ME ). My wife was taking to john george without my knowledge. i am her emergency contact. her name is BRITTANY WALDON. Ireceived a text from her, asking me to help her.Based on the fact the doctors at Kaiser hospital sent my wife to john george without my knowledge, nor my consent. The doctors refused to call me. and i haven't received no update on why my wife is in john george nor when she's going to be released which should be expedited immediately. Due to unpracticed due diligence. based on nobody called me, my wife emergency contact, to advise me of why my wife is being admitted to the hospital. i will be contacting legal advice on kaiser hospital broadway and john george!!!!!! read more

John George Psychiatric Pavilion - THIS IS MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE BRITTANY WALDON. WHO WAS WRONGFULLY ADMITTED TO JOHN GEORGE WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, NOR MY CONSENT. MY WIFE, MY - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - San Leandro, California

I would give 0 stars if possible, this is the worst psychiatric hospital ever!! If you have a loved one in there check in on them!!! Omg I can not tell you the torture one of my loved ones went through. The sad thing is with all of these complaints nothing happens. But please If you know someone here, be aware of what's going on!!! It's no joke! read more

I visited a relative here. It was an excellent experience. My family member stated she was being treated well and with dignity. And she looks and sounds so much better. The staff I saw and interacted with were very kind and helpful. Thank you John George! read more

Do not come here. The other 1 star reviews have it right: this is a very poorly managed facility that does not follow proper procedure. The office staff is completely clueless. On the phone you can not reach anyone that can answer a question. The administration line is always busy. The nursing and doctor staff are rude, self important, arrogant, very aggressive and single minded. Clearly a CYA organization with a lot to hide. Just google the name and watch the news stories. 26 beds and they have 60+ patients. People are laid out on the floor like cattle. It is positively 3rd world. Ask a question about patient care, and if they can not answer it-they throw you out. I was tending to a family member and though the patient requested I be given her paper work and personal effects to assist her-they would not release them. They had her fill out forms and sign papers under heavy sedation-she had no idea what she was signing. They had no intake information (allergies, medical conditions, medical history-etc)-and the ability to access that as I waited in the waiting room for 4 hours to speak with someone. The place is like a prison-the treatment is positively inhumane. Avoid at all costs. read more

I called because I'm a concerned daughter about her mother and I asked to talk to a nurse about her well being and the lady leaves me on the line and goes talk to someone else and they're laughing about the fact that I think she needs help and to stay there. Then after staying 20 minutes on the line they hang up without telling me anything and so I call back and finally reach her unit and all they say is they can't tell me anything because I'm not on the list "is my grandfather on the list?" "We can't disclose any information" it's total bs I'm telling you my concerns and your being neglectful of them. Terrible service read more

I got sent to John George in the fall of 2013 on a 5150 because I was uninsured. This is where you will be sent in Alameda County on a 5150 if you don't have insurance. It is a nightmare. Nothing at all like any other psychiatric facility I have ever been to. It is more like a jail. For starters, the admitting process is almost identical to the booking process at a jail. The employees treat you like a criminal. After you are admitted, you are taken to the "triage" area, which is basically a large room with concrete benches, pay phone type phones, and an outdoor patio area that is enclosed with chain link fence. The patients in this area seem to be of all degrees of diagnosis, which can be very scary and dangerous for patients who are less acute. The food? I would not serve to an animal. Disgusting excuse for nutrition served on styrofoam plates. Once bedtime rolled around, they started passing out mats to roll out on the concrete floor! Let me repeat that: MATS ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR! That is where they expect the patients to sleep, and with men and women alongside each other. OH! And with the fluorescent lights on overhead. Thankfully, the doctor who was assigned to me could see that I would not survive mentally in a place like that, and discharged me that night, before I had to endure more (thank you and RIP, Dr. Nikolskaya); who knows what would have had happened, had she not. This place is not even fit for prison inmates, let alone people who are seeking and/or in need of mental health treatment. If you are given a choice avoid John George. read more

This place gave me serious trauma from its cruel treatment of patients. I have nightmares almost every night about this horrible excuse of a hospital. Its "treatment" involves threatening restraints to someone who is having a panic attack due to the situation of being forced into this place, making everyone wear the same scrubs, stripping any sense of individuality or humanity, treating the patients like animals and giving nothing to do but stare at a wall, watch the horrible news going on in the world, or watch the other patients have meltdowns and the staff hurl out more threats at said other patients. The only "help" I got was a doctor talking to me for 5 minutes tops, asking if I still wanted to k!ll myself and then he let me go. One night in this place has ruined my mind far more than they perceived my mind to be before being forced to go here. Not that my opinion matters anymore because being here is on my permanent record for life and I'm now considered insane by anyone who has any idea where I've been, but this place needs either a serious overhaul or to be shut down. Someone who is struggling with their mental health in any way needs help, care and compassion. What I and those other patients experienced was not help, this is cult-like behavior: Breaking the mind in order to "fix" it. read more

If I could give a zero, I would. Letting people go in less than 24 hours when they admit to wanting to be unalive is ridiculous and downright dangerous. read more

This facility offers the cadillac of 5150 experiences for the SF Bay area. They have a large group tv and a smaller one, both with DVD players and recent movie titles when I was there at least. Meals are buffet-style in a nice cafeteria, a strong contrast from the prison food-esque trays offered at many other psych facilities (St Helena in Vallejo also has buffet meal, but is less nice). During off meal hours there is a community fridge with milks, fruit, yoghurt, and juice boxes. I got the sense that the staff genuinely cared about the patients, a sense that is a welcome rarity in the currently cynical and seemingly oblivious healthcare system. I've worked in treatment and as a patient, so my bias is at least tempered. Treatment always seemed to be an exercise in minimizing liability rather than acting as a knowledge resource to help shape & accomplish patient goals. The frequent use of "crazy" from healthcare professionals not as a generic diagnosis but as a general pejorative akin to how "gay" has been used demonstrates the subtle insensitivities present in traditional psychiatric facilities. With all this negative experience I'm happy to find a place like John George that makes efforts to socialize patients and even got me, in my most vulnerably self-conscious state, to get involved with their in-facility group karaoke event and sing a Jason Mraz song. Tangentially, I'm also glad that the NIMH will be gradually moving away from the label-centric forthcoming DSM-V iteration, and moving increasingly toward biomarker-based diagnoses and treatments. read more

John George Psychiatric Pavilion - Non-emergency entrance - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - San Leandro, California

If I could give 0 starts I would. This hospital does nothing to help your mental illness all they do is cause more trauma. The nurses need more training & don't treat you like patients, more like prisoners. read more

If I could give it zero stars I would. Worst treatment center and doesn't educate people on mental health services or resources. Doesn't care for marginalized folks, didn't ask me my race but documented me as CHINESE when I am a Mono Native woman. They do not care for their patients and told me to never do Meth when my disorder is Bipolar disorder. They do not care for their patients and just assume they are on drugs. Doctors are inconsiderate. I was admitted during March during COVID-19. read more

This place is a soul taker ! The way they treat and harass you is a nightmare. They make sure you know it's your fault when it really is not. You can not even ask a question because they just want to sedate you and not care how you feel. I would never recommend this place and it should be shut down permanently! read more

TERRIBLE PLACE. I voluntarily checked in after being nudged by my primary health clinic because I was having a mental health crisis, and I was told since it was voluntary I wasn't obligated to stay. Lies. After I came in and saw the horrible conditions, I decided this wouldn't be helpful for me and that I needed to leave. Why? For starters no one has their own room, everyone sleeps in the same area. People you've never met, people with different conditions, men and women, all sleeping in the same space. I asked them how is this ok? I was met with "All the nurses are watching so nothing can happen"......Really? I walked by a man who commented on my breast and the nurse told me to tell her next time and she'd tell him. He's mentally unhinged, what can you say? Again, I'm expected to be comfortable enough to sleep in the same space as this man??? After I threw a fit they finally gave me my own room, it was dirty and sad. Not even a pillow. Perhaps pillows can be dangerous, but I dunno. Also, no one tells you what's happening. They said a doctor would see me and then put me in this room. No one followed up. When I asked when I could speak with the doctor they said probably tomorrow. When I was asked about when I'd see my nurse they said I just got here and more people were in front of me. After I decided this wasn't for me I asked if I could go as I was there voluntarily. They told me no and that it was only voluntary to check in, not to leave. This was not communicated at all. I suddenly felt trapped and like I'd made a horrible mistake. Apparently in order to leave you to have to be given the ok by the doctor. So now I'm freaked out I have to stay overnight because the doctor may or may not see me. Luckily I ended up seeing a doctor and since they said I was a higher functioning mentally ill person I was cognitive enough to leave as long as I said I was no longer a danger to myself. I wasn't, but I would've said it anyway if it got me out of that place. So in closing, I'll say this, if you ever find yourself in a mental health crisis make sure you have money, or else you'll end up in a place like this. Thanks to John George I'm really excited to go harder in my career so I can afford to be placed in a better facility if and when the time comes. This was some Scared Straight shit, so thanks I guess? I feel really bad for the people who are too deep in their mental health crisis to see they're being mistreated and deserve better than the conditions that have been put upon them. A lot of the people there were people seemed to be people that were displaced but arrested and taken there because they were exhibiting dangerous behavior. They deserve better than this, they deserve real help. They don't deserve to sleep in a room with strangers who are all battling something. The nurses are ok but ultimately I don't think people take your grievances seriously because they just assume you're a crazy person and you don't know what you're talking about. It can be frustrating not to be heard. If you or a loved one is having a mental health crisis, and you have other options to get treatment, please seek them, as this place might actually exacerbate them. Definitely treat this as a last last last last last ditch effort. read more

This is a specific shout out to social worker Sue. I had to commit a disabled family member having a psychotic episode, and she was the first and only helpful (and insightful + compassionate) person I talked to in the 48 sleepless hours I tried to find help from hospitals. After basically having the entire disastrous experience of the past two days with my deeply ill family member essentially invalidated by a JG doctor I spoke to early in his first day, I'd given up and just sobbed until I could gather myself and try to figure out how I could possibly care for a large disabled and temporarily immobilized man whose muscular dystrophy leads him to walk with a cane - but in post-meth psychosis, he's only selectively mobile and will go totally slack for days at a time aside from moments he thinks someone is after him, when he'll get up and start destroying his surroundings and eventually either making his way quickly into the street or falling and injuring himself. This time, he called me in psychosis and said he didn't know what was going on, had fallen, couldn't move... and then the second I got there he jumped up and started blundering into the street covered in blood and without shoes yelling "GOGOGOGOGOGO!" and when I went to grab his medications and new clothes as quickly as possible, his bed was covered in blood and where he'd fallen, there was broken glass from where he'd gone on a tear)... yet because he thought doctors were part of the people out to get him, he said he was fine, no voices, not in danger... (doctor would come over at Alta Bates and he's say he was fine, no voices, no danger, could remember the year and president and his dang social security number despite the fact that he's repeatedly asked me if christmas was in August in times when he's NOT psychotic.. and then the doctor would leave and he'd look at me with his eyes bulging out of his head and say "SEEEE? You heard!! And you can hear her talking now!!! She's in it. She's part of it. They all are. I can't tell you what's happening cuz they're listening. We're going NOW!!!!" and start twitching and bobbing. He has a decade-long documented history of this from many many hospitals and many many psychologists who had been in charge of his longterm care, yet the doctor I spoke with preferred to imply that I was making it up and that he needed to be released instead of digging deeper, and the possibility that I'd have to try to find him a home and a large male caregiver capable of carrying him everywhere since we don't even have a wheelchair (since he can not all walk!) within 1-2 hours was enough to make me just start sobbing, at which point the doctor said "ok, well, gotta go" and I lost my last shred of hope for the American medical system. I offer my sincerest thanks for the simple, kind, and attentive help we rec'd from Sue, one of their social workers, who almost immediately seemed to understand the situation and was able to help us create a workable plan. I can not describe the relief and deep deep gratitude that comes out of such an interaction after days of no sleep and horrific treatment (or rather being placed on a plastic chair in a security hallway for 12 hours overnight) by Alta Bates and soooo many years of dealing with institutions incapable of offering real help. It was such a brief interaction, but it means so much. Thank you. read more

this is an impossible job under impossible conditions. i was released today after 80 hours in the waiting room. it's not a perfect system, but there is kindness there. there are people who listen there. as a person who did not require the services and was misplaced, there is a lot of dignity here. it does take time to get 'categorized' properly and i was categorized properly. when i finally met a decision maker, i was released. did it take a week? yes it did. it's the nature of the beast. i was safe, i was taken care of, and i respect the staff that are working there and i am fond of many of the patients who struggle with issues i can feel fortunate i do not have to endure. these are good people. and it's not easy, and it takes time. i walked out of the doors 3 hours ago, emotional about the world i had been given a glimpse into. nothing is perfect, and this is not perfect, but if your loved ones are here, they are on the right road with a patient and caring staff. i wish them good fortune and health. read more

This place is torture on the soul. God save the people here. I've watched nurses openly harass, abuse, and disrespect the patients here: making their condition worse. I was placed here by the university during a melt down after being abused in every way by a college professor and disregarded by the university in Hayward. They care so little about their students, that they'd openly abuse me through one of their predatory and admittingly child-fettish having professors, so much bullying in the dorms, and when I was crying and stressed out on campus, the poor counseling services sent me here. When I attempted to speak out about it, careless faculty attempted to institutionalize me, they could care less, they only see numbers and people they do not desire fitting into society, which is God wrong to do. The only good that came out of this was reading the Bible and speaking to a pastor who listened to my story. It was a nightmare to watch other mentally ill people be treated so poorly. Regardless of how they were acting in order for them to heal you cannot be a violent or disrespectful back to them. read more

I'm a young woman that was recently 5150'd (psychiatric hold) in the middle of the night to John George PP, from the ER of a nearby hospital. It was a voluntary decision to be placed on a psych hold - at the advise of the ER physician. Mind you, I've heard lots of horror stories about JGPP. And the ER staff of that nearby hospital tried REALLY hard to find a psych facility that was NOT JGPP. I am lucky to have insurance. However, since time was ticking, and they needed to place me somewhere, and every place they checked was booked for that night (?), or something. So JGPP it was. The reason I went to the ER in the first place is that I was experiencing a severe panic attack. I was compliant - not hostile, and I was extremely anxious and scared. This was the first time I've had an attack of that magnitude, and also the first time I'd been to a psych hospital. Despite the horror stories, fortunately, I was lucky to have a good experience with the female staff - they were very gentle and compassionate. They placed me in a bed right across from their station. Although it was cold, and the bed things weren't exactly comfortable to lay ontop of - I actually felt safe and cared for by the staff. No one bothered or threatened me. I was even offered graham crackers and chocolate milk. Simple childhood pleasures during a rough time. Everybody was asleep or trying to. It was common to roll oneself up from head to toe in sheets/blankets. The pillow I was given, was a rolled up sheet too. The place was relatively quiet, and the lights were dimmed a little bit. However - I do have a couple of issues with the registration process. First, the admitting representative seemed to rush me through all of the paperwork. He verbally gave me the tldr; version of things - which I thought was weird because the forms said a whole lot more stuff than his version did. So I chose to read ALL of the things, before signing them/not signing them; and while I was doing that, the registration staff guy started to overtly sigh and display gestures of impatience. He said something suggesting that I should just sign them without reading them first because of "time." I kinda do not think that is best practice for JGPP staff to encourage patients to provide their signature on documents without reviewing the documents first. Secondly, one of the forms I was rushed to sign was a consent to photography document. Except, I refused to sign it. I refused to consent to photography. I even verbally told the registration staff that I do not consent to this and I gave them a reason - except one of the staff walked over to me holding camera - and despite my refusal - snapped a picture of my face anyways. Two days of no sleep, no food, and suffering from debilitating anxiety. I was humiliated, it was a VERY private and very painful health moment, and I did NOT want to be recorded that way. What is the purpose of a consent form anyways? Early the next morning their MD was able to evaluate me, and give me the green light to discharge - which I was fortunate enough to not have to wait for many hours or days to have the evaluation performed. I only had to stay at JGPP that one night only, so I was basically in and out of there lickety-split. I can't tell you first hand what it's like at JGPP during the daytime hours. So that was my short experience at JGPP. I hope this helps. read more

Place needs some work. First off, beds for each patient would be good. Second, some basic respect for each patient. This Psychiatric Facility needs updating and assistance for patients. read more

Some of the staff are great people. If it wasn't for the one and a half people that treated me like a human, then I would've killed myself in the bathroom. I will no longer be seeking help by calling 911. I was arrested for swinging a jacket, thrown into john george with no treatment but an ativan when I begged for it, during a panic attack. I was held in a co-ed waiting room and was handed a pillow and blanket. I got to talk to a doctor on the second day and was released to the pigs who then dehumanized me some more in jail. 3 days no sleep, no help, all brought by a phone call for help. Broken systems much????? read more

I think I really learned it the hard way not to let anyone know when I am suicidal because of places like these. I even begged a psychiatrist here if I can get euthanized by a doctor which had started to make me want the legal right to do so for many years. read more