Nationwide Children’s Behavioral Health Pavilion — Local services in Columbus

What to expect: Upon arrival much like any emergency room you register in and then you have to wait your turn depending on the day your wait may be longer or shorter. They provide drinks and snacks and coloring for children and family while waiting and there’s movies on a large screen tv and lockers for personal items if you don’t wish to carry them with you. They are considerate of your child’s identity whatever their pronouns may be. When it is your turn your child will go back and be spoken with they will then speak to the parent and then both together where it’s best to be honest for the right help and treatment. If deemed necessary and a bed is available they will admit your child. You have the option to stay with your child or if space is needed and you are from out of town to stay at the Ronald McDonald house a few blocks away. They seem encouraging about families participating in the care of the children there and try to help you prepare to go home with a plan. The goal has overall seemed to be stabilizing the hold to go home if possible.

My experience: The first visit we had due to my son speaking suicidal ideations and admission of a failed attempt that’s exact how the process went we were waiting for a few hours like any e.r but it’s worth the wait. Now this time: the only complaint is one lady tried to convince my son who identifies as male to accept they them her she pronouns he declined several times. It was only one member of staff though and a complaint was submitted. Their meals aren’t always the best like most hospital foods however my son highly recommends the hot pretzels with cheese and pizza it’s good. Other than that it was an amazing helpful stay.

The second visit we came in due to anger issues and not being able to regulate after being released from sun behavioral in Columbus (do not send your child there, it made everything worse). So I brought him to the bhp and they were able to get him regulated and we went home later that night after he had a nap there. No complaints they answered my concerns and prepared me with all my questions. These times were in 2023.

The third time was here in march 2024. My son after a suicide attempt was sent to glenwood behavioral in Cincinnati Ohio and my son called me in a panic claiming he needed help but he wasn’t getting it there and he needs out and specifically requested the BHP. I got to him as soon as possible and signed him out AMA. Where he told me the terrible conditions of Glenwood and we then went to this facility. We checked in and there was a long wait nearly 12 hrs between check in and admission but they were packed my son felt safe and relieved to just be there and talk with staff. I am truly thankful for the staff at the BHP. They make a terrible situation somewhat better. I just wish we were closer.

This last time leaving I didn’t feel my son was ready and expressed that to the staff members we were working with they said clinically he has shown them he was and I do agree part of his recovery is he has to apply what he learned in real life scenarios but as i suggested he simply wasn’t ready but had manipulated those around him and upon coming home though he was able to regulate My son has refused to keep the guidance we learned as a family and with his mental health with another attempt and is now in another facility as the local hospital send them to the first available bed.

Mental health is not a one stop fix, it’s a process that isn’t easy to face and it gets ugly. The BHP staff Is simply a stepping stone to guide you toward a better future not just for our children but the family as well. I as a parent attended all the family sessions my son wasn’t always being honest but with the tools they have equipped me with I am honestly able to handle situations and hard conversations better than our first visit and I thank them for that because it has helped me with my other...

DO NOT GO HERE. I went here at 13 years old in the darkest point of my life and they treated me like a JOKE. I went into triage and the lady acted like this was all just whatever to her. She forcefully grabbed my arm and lifted up my sleeve to look at my scars. She made me say very personal things in front of my mom that i didnt want her to know/worry about. Then I waited HOURS for a "treatment." A kind man offered me warm blankets because i was so tired (it was 2am) that i was attempting to sleep on the chairs. Then, when they were "helping" me, they threw me in a small room for a couple hours. Someone finally came in and talked to me about personal information i had never told ANYONE. I told her I was bisexual, told her about my suicidal thoughts, intentions, and attempt, and more. She left the room, brought my mom in, OUTED ME AND TOLD MY MOM EVERYTHING WE TALKED ABOUT (which she told me would remain confidential between her and I) and gave my mom a box to hide sharps. THAT WAS IT. We waited 8 HOURS to be gifted a box? I told her if they discharged me, I would go home and kill myself. She advised me to call their lifeline if I needed help. SHE WAS OKAY WITH ME KILLING MYSELF. Unbelievable. Do not go here. Negative stars. FIX YOUR JOKE OF A BUSINESS!!! STOP...

We have been here at least 5 times. The program for short term treatment was great it really helped our daughter express what she was feeling. The first 2 times she was there she was on the third floor for individual care and she learn a lot from that program. The next three times she was on the floor for group therapy and she wasn’t doing as well and she learned some bad habits, she is very easy to get her to do things to fit in. I requested to return her to the third floor and they denied my request without any explanation. Even though the wait has been 5 or more hours at times it’s worth it to wait it out. I was very pleased with the treatment they gave and it was aggressive which helps for short term...