Riverwoods Behavioral Health System

Let me start by saying I was admitted involuntarily but I wanted to get treatment, which was the one thing this facility failed to provide. The food was fine, the staff was fine, the place was clean and well-kept. But I wanted to get better. Once, maybe twice a day, we'd have "group sessions", which were little more than one of the therapists engaging the unit in a discussion about communication, boundaries, etc. The rest of my time was spent watching patients argue over the television remote in the main room, coloring with dried out markers, and being shuttled from meal to meal. The therapists who did lead the groups were friendly but seemed unqualified. I was admitted for severe anxiety and depression. None of these "group sessions" over the span of five days helped me learn to manage either, and I only saw my doctor once during the length of my stay. The handbook states that the doctors make daily rounds, which is true, but you may or may not be included in the handful of patients he or she actually speaks to that day. The pharmacy techs failed to give me my anxiety medicine not only once, but twice, even though I turned in my bottle with the prescription label and the notes were clearly written in my chart. And the hospital tells you that the self-harm watch is a mandatory 72 hours, but most people stayed at least four or five days, depending on their doctor. Not one of my fellow patients was released after the 72 hour mark. Imagine being woken at six am so they can take your vitals, then proceeding to sit in uncomfortable chairs for hours on end with near-strangers, watching day time television in the freezing cold for five straight days. When you're trying to sleep, a tech will open the door and shine a flashlight on you every thirty minutes to be sure you're in bed. You can call your family, if the phone is available and it's not during prohibited hours. But if they call you, you may or may not be given the message by the staff. Your phone, laptop, toiletries, books, shoes, almost every personal item other than clothes are confiscated. They took my pillow from home at admissions. The watch that my parents brought, which is an approved item in the handbook (because there's one clock in the entire wing). My comb-- also included as allowed in the handbook. My lotion that contained about 2% alcohol. If someone brings you candy, it must be hard candy (no chocolate is served or allowed at all), and you have to ask for it at the counter if you want a piece of it. It can't be kept in your room. We were practically imprisoned, hardly any therapy occurred, and at the end we owed nearly a thousand dollars after insurance. To be babysat by staff and held to stringent rules that benefited nobody but the business. They are disorganized, disreputable, and unsympathetic, and the only thing that qualifies them as a hospital is the fact that they can dispense medication.
2 7 years ago (30-05-2018)

sure you have to be there but use the group sessions to get something good out of the time you're there. I can honesty say I've never heard staff yelling at a patient or even talking that loudly. They seem to be a little over worked but there have been less than a handful of people whom have been rude to me in the few times I've had to be there. All but 1 of the kitchen staff are friendly. I do wish there was 1 more smoke break since there is one point where we're more idle than the rest of the day. Also, they need some noise reduction in the gym. Some upgrades here and there I equipment and furniture could be made to give it just a tad more of a relaxed environment, I think it could be useful to treatment. I've never seen any roaches . The cleaning staff could do a little better but all and all it's not that bad of a place to be sent if you need to get some help. It beats some of the other places hands down I'm sure.
4 8 years ago (02-02-2018)

The staff there a really rude and look at the patients as if they are better than them. I couldn’t stand that, looking at them like they aren’t human! How dare they do that. The food is horrible either burnt or raw, the fruit they give them for snacks is not even clean, how about they have away puddings with mold in it! they said the floor is contaminated but still made people sleep on the floor which was not understandable. My allergies was horrible there. A guy told them he was not feeling good enough to leave but they still was trying to discharge him, which made him feel even worse. I really tried to understand how this place was supposed to help people, when you talk to them in a manner that puts them down. I started feeling bad for some of the patients. You’re supposed to help them not make them feel like they are any less than you. They are still human!! They didn’t ask for this at all. There is hardly any soap and hand sanitizer for people to wash hands, atleast have that if you have to leave doors closed at a certain time. They need new chairs and tables, books, educational games ect. Something to keep people minds busy and keep them up so they won’t think about the stress. How are people supposed to get a good night sleep when the staff is loud at the desk? The janitors should find new jobs options if they are going to complain also. You are not forced to have that as an job option btw. If people actually seemed like they cared maybe the patients will feel like they are getting help and feel like they are they for a reason and not in prison. CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN! If I was able to remodel that place and have new staff I definitely would have myself. I want the patients to feel like they do matter, people are there to listen, you are not there as a check, u are not Crazy, but hard it’s hard to believe so there. Someone is going to end up suing that place.
1 7 years ago (18-05-2018)

Horrible place to leave your child. I wanted my child to receive help not be treated like a sociopath. This place is more like a prison than a treatment center.
1 7 years ago (08-05-2018)

Called the day before going and told them every drug our son was doing. Personnel said bring asap. Once there, no one would let us in. Finally let in, filled out paperwork. Waited and froze for hours, just to be told they don't treat the drugs our son was on. Worthless facility. Management a joke.
1 7 years ago (02-06-2018)