Alvarado Parkway Institute Behavioral Health System Outpatient Services, La Mesa CA

I don't know how there isn't 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 shouldn't, poorly conducted group therapies, no patient privacy (patients wouldn't 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.

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.

Please do not send yourself on your loved ones here.a money grab facility that will place you on holds to get the most money from your insurance and you. I recommend Mesa Vista, it’s not a perfect place but it’s a MUCH better option than API

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 didn't feel like a safe environment, I hope my relative is ok!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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

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 couldn't call anyone, and a lot of other things that stripped his rights. Terrible facility, do not recommend this place to anyone

I've 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. I've 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.

The most horrible place ever, they don't help you at all and the doctors are never there, if you have a family member struggling with depression don't take them here, it will only make them feel worst. Besides they ignore you when the visitors get there, there's only like two nurses there that actually do their job and care about the patients.

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

Right away, received us very apathetically, wasn't concerned, and didn't 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.