Prisma Health Marshall I. Pickens Hospital — Local services in Greenville

A year later and I’m still dealing with trauma from this place. When I went in the first time, I was just diagnosed, the Dr. I saw put me on a very high dose of lithium. Then after a few days, they sent me out into the real world with no outside plan besides the safety plan they have to do. I wasn’t even referred to any kind of psychiatrist which ended up leading to many problems. One of which I was .1 away from lithium toxicity when I went to get help from my primary care. After my initial diagnosis, I crashed into a depressive episode. I went to the ER for SI and when I found out I was coming back here, I panicked and my mom tried everything in her power not to let them send me there, but I guess you don’t have a choice when they involuntarily commit you. They would mess with my emotions by telling me I could go home and then not let me. I had a nurse threaten to extend my stay because I was crying to her about not being able to go home. I was treated less than human, besides by the tech Ashley and the music therapist Amy. My experiences were the complete opposite of what I was expecting for mental health care. The system for it is sooo cruel, I wish I could make a change in some way. They told me I would see a therapist every day and that my psychiatrist would also spend time with me. Pretty much what they mean by that is you’ll go to group therapy which can literally be about anything from nutrition to doing art. Never 1:1 time with an actual therapist and the psychiatrist would talk to you for five minutes and then change your meds. They had student residents with the psychiatrist, who would sit there and stare at you and you would have to explain everything that happened in your life/personal history, and honestly it would feel like I was a zoo exhibit to them. Most of the staff seems miserable and like they hate their jobs and the patients. Thankfully I have a good support system with my family and they always made sure to advocate for me. After those two visits, I have made it a personal goal for me to never, ever require inpatient care, which I guess is always a good goal to have. Unfortunately I left with much more emotional trauma then I came in with. Also, the whole place is absolutely disgusting. Bugs, dirt, and grime all over the place. When I didn’t have shoes to wear, my feet were absolutely filthy by the end of the day. One thing I am thankful for is that I did have open communication with my family members via the phone (which I feel like they listen to your conversations) and an hour of visiting time. That hour was the only thing that kept me going. If I ever have another episode, I will do everything in my power to not seek help via inpatient care. And if I need it, I pray that I will somehow be lucky and not have to go to Marshall Pickens. I don’t believe that this facility should reflect on Prisma. Prisma actually saved my life and paid 100% coverage for any medical care I needed for a year since I was unemployed and had no money. I am very grateful for Prisma, but I do wish they would take a step back and really look into what goes on at Marshall Pickens and make significant improvements to help out people with mental illnesses. We deserve better and we deserve to be treated as humans and not prisoners. We are already trapped in a prison of our own minds, we deserve compassion in those low moments of our lives. Thank you for reading if you made it...

Was released Aug 2nd 2024 after staying 11 days due to a suicide attempt. I was the definition of involuntary admission. Would only quote my name D.OB. and last 4 of social to emergency room nurses, demanded to be released in North wing and was rapidly put in the back room for more "intensive cases. I found my room sparse yet spacious. Was so against having any form of attention( vitals medication etc) that I used the two chairs to form a barricade and hunkered down in the corner of the room. I remained like this for two days refused food refused to leave the room and slept. When I realized my behavior was paranoid( which I'm not) and was getting no further towards release I decided to come out not to engage but to show I was normal. In doing so another patient was able to make me laugh. Finally having a smile when my psychiatrist came by and asked what could be done I tried to give them a problem that to me seemed unsolvable. Can you take away my nightmares? I was shocked when they said yes. More so when they followed through. After that I decided to shift my perspective and not see it as a jail, but instead as a place that taught structure stability and above all hope. as I worked with my doc, and began to conversate with the nurses as human beings and not wardens, I saw the care kindness and patience they had. I began to emulate this behavior and connected with other patients. I can say by the time I was discharged I felt like I was leaving my family hugs and best wishes, even the cafeteria staff had become close and said they would miss me. I went in not realizing how desperately I needed help and left not fixed,as that is a long journey , but ready. Ready to strive ready to live ready to heal. Give this place a real chance trust that they aren't working to keep you in but are wanting to give you tools to get out. I've made lifelong friends here shared in pain joy fear and hope with people who are some of the strongest and kindest I've ever met. I'm now facing the road ahead and am admittedly a bit scared, but confident i have the ability to over come.To those who wonder, I was diagnosed with three mental illnesses severe MDD chronic recurring PTSD and BPD. Individually any one of these are crippling,one isn't even curable, but I know even against these odds I'm capable of not just living but living happily and finally experiencing a truly whole life. Thank you to everyone, the staff my fellow patients and all others. Without your help support and love I would have never had what I have now, hope...

Thank you Tenille for your passion. If you are looking for a passionate team of social workers for your adolescent child in Greenville county and surrounding counties I highly recommend trying this facility first. HUGE SHOUT out to Tenille (sorry if I misspelled her name) and her partner. Our story is huge and complicated. this was our third attempt at helping my boyfriends daughter home we both met for the first time in both of our lives seven months ago. This has been the hardest battle of our entire lives. The social workers deal with this on a daily basis I cannot imagine the compassion and strength it takes to deal and see and hear the stories that they hear. I want to publicly announce my biggest apology to the most amazing team. The two social workers at this facility especially Tenille. she did not deserve the phone call I made the final day our adolescent was there. I look forward to making it known to anyone and everyone how amazing she is and her teammate and how regretful I am for my behavior. I held it together for seven long months. Again I can’t give details but it’s like every turn every direction everywhere I went everywhere we went it was just a dead end and we saw this beautiful girl going downhill. They only wanted the best for her. I can’t say the same for the doctor that was assigned to her. That’s who I needed to vent on but even still that’s not my character ever. I hope corporate gets this, I hope everyone sees this and I hope especially social workers in the adolescent unit. I’m not afraid to face humility as I deserve every ounce of it. I hope she knows she’s a wonderful soul and a blessing to all the youth she has assisted. If you have a trouble teen I would definitely start here. also call DSS. They are your friends and I promise they will walk you through every step and help you along the way. DSS has been my godsend. I even told my social worker that I vented and was incredibly rude and I’m noxious to this wonderful person. Mental health is very serious and should never be overlooked. It’s amazing how it can take over an entire household and you would never notice. But it really just depends on the situation. Ours is definitely one of a kind in one day, one day I pray Because I won’t stop fighting for it that we get just as not only for his daughter but that we can advocate for families like ours. And provide support to people like the social workers and their team. I look forward to making things right with her. DSS IS My saving grace my peace of mind. Now we...