Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA

*** Best spot for mental health crisis in LA. *** Acute psychosis due to cannabis is on the rise. Even general psychosis seems to happen a lot. I brought someone to the ER here ~ 3am due to delusions and a fear they might wander off. It's a scary and potentially dangerous situation. There was a psyche doctor available in the ER. After 30 min exam the doc assigned a room. (Any adult patient may be admitted against their will for 72 hrs if they are deemed to be a danger to either themselves or to others.) Docs can also petition the court for an add'l 14 days if more treatment needed for release. It took ~ 3wks for docs to finally identify the best cocktail of drugs to regain a lucid state, coupled of course with daily food and sleep. Nurses and docs are plentiful compared to relatively fewer number of mental patients. A high level of consideration and concern. *** I suggest Resnick for mental health. ***

Barry Williams

Someone I know was having a severe bout of insomnia and then had a nervous breakdown and was referred to the emergency room by their doctor. They went to the UCLA emergency room and were told by the staff doctor that there was a bed available in the Resnick Psychiatric center where they could get a few nights of good sleep and have a team of doctors (psychiatrist, psychologist, etc) caring for them. It took 3 to 4 hours to get into her room after being told one was available, and about that long to tell us what the visiting hours were. It turned out that things did not end up being quite the way they were described. In particular, the doctor failed to mention that my friend's phone would be taken away while staying in the hospital. So the only way she could communicate with friends and family was by going to the hallway and making calls from a phone there. No texts. No impromptu calls. No listening to calming music or pre-recorded prayers. Many of the resources my friend had were on her phone, and she was unable to use them. Visiting hours were for only 1 hour a day, and only one person could visit. In addition, she saw all the doctors from her 'team' basically one time while she stayed there over the course of two days and two nights. What she did get was a private room, medication, and an option to go to a group occupational therapy art session. The whole place was a bit unnerving for my friend, as most of the patients that she saw were there involuntarily, where as she was there voluntarily and her mind was in a better state than theirs. She left after two nights, given that she felt so alone in the hospital, a bit unnerved by the other patients, and considering that she did not actually have a team of doctors helping her. Also, they gave her a prescription for medication and also resources for support groups, psychiatrists, and therapists.

Chris Morris

Excellent and unparalleled psychiatry. UCLA stabilized me and genuinely saved my life — I cannot emphasize this enough. Expect clean, safe, and private accommodations, as well as wonderful food, and some very caring clinicians. Plus, animal and art therapy were highlights. My one reservation, that I have found to be consistent with others’ experience, is that I believe some of the staff to be experiencing significant burnout — and for that I sincerely hope that they are more supported by their employer.

Audrey

I just got out of the hospital today. This was my 3rd time staying here for psychiatric needs. I have been to a few other hospitals and this is the best place I have ever been to. The staff is so caring and efficient. Everyone has their own private room with a private bathroom, TV, and beds where you and adjust how high/low you're sitting. In the day room, there is a coffee machine and a snack cabinet and fridge that are always stocked with yogurt, bagels, milk, juice, cereal, etc. The groups are always fun and interesting. I loved my stay and I always feel safe and cared for at UCLA.

Matt McCoy

As much as I want to say I hated it, I can’t. The staff were AMAZING I can’t say names but some of them, seriously changed my life. I was on the adolescent unit, we got to go to a real cool art room where we could make candles, sculptures and other cool stuff. We also got to choose our food from a pretty big menu. I’m not a therapy person. But the staff use their words very persuasively to get you to go. It works! Thank you UCLA for helping myself and everyone else! 😁

Xander Kain