It was pleasant but challenging. Most of the staff members here are caring and passionate about their jobs and towards the patients. Especially my treatment coordinator. She’s a wonderful person!There are some employees that are standoffish and rude but Id ignore them. The building is very old but overall the employees that work here make it a helpful place to attend.

Dont place your loved ones here!One working shower per unit of 40 people. One bathroom per 4 to 6 people. 4 to 6 people per room. Being locked up people going crazy or coming off a drug high, being placed in a mental hospital not a detox unit. So very unsafe. Nurses ignore you.Aftercare for mental health - not very useful and difficult to comprehend.

If you have a loved one who has been admitted to this facility BEWARE. This hospital does an absolutely terrible job at getting to know/understand its patients. My brother who struggles with schizophrenia was admitted after having a recent episode, and the doctors/staff spent more time in the following weeks trying to discharge him than to actually work at getting him into a healthy state of mind. Also patients at this hospital are not able to contact their loved ones because the hospital’s phone service is atrocious. My brother’s doctor spent virtually no time helping him and approved him for discharge dispute the fact that he is still in full blown psychosis. Now my family is essentially pinned in a position where we have to wait for him to threaten himself or someone else.

Be very afraid seriously very afraid. Please listen go anywhere else 0 stars. Go see 4 yourself if youd like. No organization.. much more like prison. No nurses but one and scary very.

I went through here in 2003. They helped me save my life.

I had a good experience, I stayed for 4 days was on two different units .the staff was polite and helpful they answered all my questions, they treated me with respect and were very kind and sociable, I was able to keep myself occupied with attending different therapy sessions and participating in the other groups they offered through out the day the food was typical of any hospital setting this is not a resort so don’t expect to have chef made meals. I was able to address my problems get medications for my mental health the nurses were knowledgeable about my medications and possible side effects, I had special health needs that they accommodated respectfully. The other patients were pleasant and contributed to my recovery I was able to have deep discussions with other patients from different walks of life and having that insight into others situations that are similar to mine was very reassuring I really liked my doctor although due to COVID she assessed me through zoom she spent a long time speaking with me and getting to know me . It was bitter sweet the day I was discharged because I actually got more sleep here than I do at home and I met some great people but I was also motivated to go home. This place is what you make of it know place is perfect so if you come here and take what you can to help yourself it can be a good and worthwhile experience.

You can tell this is a reputable place because the owner answers reviews directly....I had a family member was here and they left worse than they came in. My honest advice is if you are able to, don’t let someone you care about end up here

I dont know how there isnt an investigation or a class-action lawsuit on this place. Unauthorized prescriptions without the patient seeing a professional and even encouraging patients to take things they shouldnt, poorly conducted group therapies, no patient privacy (patients wouldnt know they have a patient number to disclose or even sign for permission to be contacted); and the replies to these reviews try to cover for them striving to ensure patients simply get through their episode and to call their customer number, implying it will cause them to change for the better. The staff left the common areas locked and poorly supervised. Patients were denied simple hygiene and access to clean drinking water (locked in common area), and staff neglecting their duties. Refusing to disperse properly prescribed medications to patients who experienced withdrawals past their time frames. Poorly maintained facilities. Absolutely disgusting. Do NOT let your loved ones suffer here.

I have been going to API for years. Love the staff and program.

One of my family members have been in and out of API and the staff has been patient, informative, and understanding. I have felt comfortable calling at all hours for help and guidance. They also protect everyone from hostile visitors.

Am very grateful to this hospital for taking such good care of my Dad. Everyone was kind, compassionate and very professional. The social services team helped us every step of the way. Nurses are excellent. They knew exactly what to say to help Dad get better. Dr. Sanders is a great psychiatrist. He communicated with our family well and made sure we understood our options. I highly recommend API as a treatment facility.

At times the admissions department is quite busy, so I recommend an appointment for non-emergency care. The waiting room is peaceful and clean, with a fish tank and reading materials. The facility itself is relatively clean, although it is old and a bit abused looking.With the exception of one individual, every staff member I met was kind, patient and helpful.There are multiple wards, and while voluntary, most individuals have supervised access to outside during regular intervals throughout the day (Patients on a hold may use an enclosed patio.) They have recreation equipment as well as a small garden which is tended to by the Chaplin and patients. Recreational therapy allows for outside activities when possible and there is a large grassy yard as well as limited shaded seating.API’s cafeteria is one of the best in terms of hospital food, but don’t be surprised if they can’t get your allergies or dietary restrictions correct. I recommend reviewing the menu in advance (it is posted on each ward) and notifying staff of anticipated problems or if an alternate option is available.For continuity of care, they offer a day treatment program.

I visited a relative who was placed in the Mental Health Unit. Right away I noticed an odor that reminded me of Skid Row in downtown. Most of the patients looked homeless and sketchy and it appeared that they were free to roam around with minimal supervision. It didnt feel like a safe environment, I hope my relative is ok!

Sketchy place. If you’re in the intensive unit you only get a little cage to smoke in. Very depressing atmosphere that might make you worse than when you came in. Staff are cold and seem like they don’t really want to be there.

I was on a 5150 involuntary in early February and it was terrible. I spent 20 days until I had a Writ Hearing with a judge and he deemed me suitable to be discharged. The things that the Mental Health Staff put on my chart were pure lies and I cried to hear such things said about me. I was discharged with no appointments made nor meds prescribed. They just pushed me out because I was a problem, it appeared to me. I was out 2 1/2 weeks, where I became a whistle blower about the place. I wrote multiple negative reviews to Patient Advocate. And just this past week I spent 72 hours on another involuntary 5150. I was discharged yesterday and the ward 3 South was an entirely different place. The staff said training had taken place and I noticed things had changed FOR THE BETTER.The food was and is great for institution food. So that was not the problem. There is still many improvements needed--for example, the showers I feel were designed and built at the first of this century. You cant take a shower without getting your clothes wet. No matter what you do--I used the handicap showers with a seat and water was everywhere. They made improvement on the doors of the patients rooms which was a major issue on my first stay. The board that has the staff names on shift changes was not always updated and I admonished them and sometimes they complied. The attitude of the staff, from charge nurse, to MHS, to med nurses improved and at meal times the chaos that happened on my first stay was changed to calm and organized. Thats the major changes and I feel my Whistle Blower status had a great change and improvement and I was glad to see it happen, especially for those patients who cannot or do not or are not able to speak for themselves. Thank you, API, for the improvement and continue to do CONTINUAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT because youre no there yet but you can be a Flagship for Aurora and other institutions that serve the mental health population of San Diego county.

Everyone is rude. They could care less about any of the patients here. They don’t care if you have food allergies. If you’re allergic to what they give you then you don’t eat. People at the front desk are no different. I don’t think anyone here is actually licensed. Please shut this place down or at least have them investigated

I was on a 5150 in early February at the La Mesa location. First I would like to talk about PHP, then Ill review inpatient. I had never wanted to do anything that would cause permanent harm to myself in my life. prior to being discharged from inpatient, my dr told me about the partial hospitalization program they offer. It sounded great. So on my first day they had in me in the drugs and alcohol recovery group. I thought it was odd since I have never been a drinker or a user in my life. I used marijuana for 3 months before my 5150, as often as 3 times a week. So Im not a regular user. As soon as my dr told me that he wants me to stop using it, I did. I havent touched the stuff since. I dont think it was enough to say I have a drug problem. They had me in that recovery room for 5 days a week. They never once scheduled me for any of the mood groups which is exactly where I need to be. After about 2 weeks in the recovery group I finally spoke up and asked about it, about why they keep putting me in that group. I got pretty used to asking if I can join another group for the day. Sometimes they had room for me, other times they didnt. I have been in this program for 4 months now with two weeks until Im discharged. I tried to end my own life in February, WHY would they insist that I go to the drugs and alcohol group? HOW can I benefit by going there? For weeks now Ive felt like no one has been listening to me. I feel that my needs were not being respected. It doesnt make any sense to me. Let me clarify that the entire staff at API are wonderful, they really are. But when Im there because of self harm, do not put me in the wrong group where I would benefit the least, it just caused more frustration to an already frustrated mind from someone who reached out for help.

When I was admitted for inpatient care I was surprised by the excellent care and wonderful staff. When I transferred to the outpatient program I was treated very poorly, dismissed, belittled and lastly verbally assaulted by my treatment coordinator. I felt that she was under-trained and uncaring about her job. During a phone call she laughed at me when I was trying to express how I felt. Expressing how you feel is theoretically a part of treatment at this hospital, thats what they charged me for, but it was not part of the basic character and manners of Shannon Casey. Thanks for the huge hurdle in my recovery API.

Despite all the negative comments My experience was the best. I was put on the North wing but was immediately transferred to the south waiting a bed for MHU. My doctor made it clear that he wants me on the MHU side. North is just ridiculous I admit there are some folks in there that need to be in jail. Lots of these people abuse the mental health system for a free roof and food. My case was I needed help and API come through I like how Audrey on south wing took care of me and estephania on the MHU covered me up when she saw that I kicked the blankets on the ground. I do admit the food has its challenges but it’s not bad for free food. I was admitted for 17 days voluntary for a SI

I cant possibly say enough nice things about my experience with Annie and Morgan at API! I have dealt with Annie for about a month while my mom was admitted there and she could not have been more helpful, caring and proactive about doing her job. I have worked with many social workers at various facilities at this point and Annie is by-far the best at what she does. She kept me informed every step of the process and did everything she could to help find a longer-term placement for my mom; always with a wonderful and kind attitude. She is truly a gem! Also, without going into too much detail, a nurse named Morgan was also wonderful when we went to visit. She helped us with some special circumstances and sat with us the entire time in the conference room (when Im sure she had better things to be doing). I appreciated that so much! Thank you all at API!

This place is completely unorganized and Ive contacted them 4 seperate times with my insurance information only to be met with letters from collections. Im now filing a grievance and you need to talk to Alicia about your customer service because its absolute garbage. To charge close to $8000 for me to read books for 3 days is absolutely ridiculous. Im spreading word to military families to stay far away from this facility.

If I could give it zero stars, I would. This place is TERRIBLE. Doctors were absolutely no help, the psychologist decides to check his phone while on a session and has the audacity to say I need to leave soon instead of listening. I thought the purpose for this institute was to help people, it was absolutely trash.

Had a friend come here for depression, this facility probably only made it worse. It was by far the worst experience I have ever witnessed. The staff was awfully rude and not helpful at all. Whenever I would try to call my friend or visit him, I would provide the name and patient ID number, they would tell me that they needed to transfer my call only to be put on hold several times for 10+ minutes, a vicious never ending cycle. At one point, they even had the audacity to transfer my call to a completely random patient that I didnt know! Is that even legal? Especially after I provided the ID number, how could I be forwarded to someone different? Also, the most horrible thing he told me is they practically did everything they passively could to keep him from talking to his girlfriend--the one person that was actually really helping him, I know this firsthand as I was trying to help her get in contact with him--thet were accessing his contacts on his phone so he couldnt call anyone, and a lot of other things that stripped his rights. Terrible facility, do not recommend this place to anyone

I would never want anyone I love to end up here.

Ive been here many times (through mediCAL)for detoxing junk. Everytime I came they keep you comfortable with subutex and Asian. Half the psychiatrists are extremely rude but some are nice. This place had a soda fountain machine(as long as you werent 51-50d) and good food. They provide gross cigarettes but you can have someone bring you a pack. Ive meet my wife there and im clean with a daughter and I thank api for giving me a opportunity meet my wife. The nurses at that time were really respectful and I would laugh and joke with them all the time its like we were friends, not nurse/security. I would recommend this place if you need to detox. If u have MEDIcal you can walk to the front door at 9pm or 10pmand press the button on the call box and say your having THOUGHTS of suicide, its the only way medi-CALL will cover your stay. You will be interviewed and just dont say you want to just say you dont feel safe and have been depressed but dont say your GOING to commit Scde.

My name is George and Im an alcoholic and a drug addict. I went through the substance abuse program in 1989. Ive now been clean and sober for 27 years. This place saved my life.

Stay far way from this place. Have called twice and both times I have been hung up on. Showed up to visit a friend and was treated like a criminal. Staff is extremely unwelcoming, rude, and mean. How is this place still open and running?

Kept family members well informed.

Dnt let me see my gf wats another way to get patient id number

My personal experiance was actually not what I expected. I thought that I was in for the 3 worst days of my life... post car accident. But, everyone of the staff members including the ground keepers and maitainance staff were very concerned about our the wacos well being.KEEP PROVIDING THAT TOP NOTCH CARE!-!Jose I need a straw Plascecia

I called many Medical Detox centers to learn what their programs offered, the only one that answered my questions and were polite and helpful were Alvarado Parkway Institute. The explained what I could bring, clothes, parking, toothbrush and the types of treatment that may be offered and set up an interview and I will be admitted hopefully This Sunday July 5 at 2:30 PM. All the other hospitals told me to show up and get a bed and then I would be told what the options were after I was admitted. This sounded like a horror story and I do not know how people could check into a place and then be told what was going to happen to them. Shame on you Sharp Mesa Vista. I myself am a drug therapist and was surprised after retirement to get caught up dependent on pain pills for 3 conditions that hit me all at once caused me more pain than I ever had. Im now have no pain except being dependent on pills I told the doctor not to put me on, but he insisted It was needing for my recovery. They did help, but I would never do it again. NO more pain pills and still scared of detox. but the people at API made me a believer.

Estephania and Izzy were awesome but Dr. Nicolas made my life horrible while I was there, that’s all I have to say.

The most horrible place ever, they dont help you at all and the doctors are never there, if you have a family member struggling with depression dont take them here, it will only make them feel worst. Besides they ignore you when the visitors get there, theres only like two nurses there that actually do their job and care about the patients.

Right away, received us very apathetically, wasnt concerned, and didnt seem to care that we made a 3 hour drive to get here. Not helpful, if so done in a harsh way and made my family and I wait.

Horrible, awful, worse than Aurora and I didnt think that was possible.

Hell on earth!!!