Telecare PHF - Santa Cruz, California

Ellie Sembrat

I am normally not one to leave a review but this place sucks!!!! I called them many times to get information about a family member I had inside. The nurse was insanely unprofessional. She was incredibly rude and unhelpful. I spoke to her on the phone for about 30 minutes and got no where. She yelled at me multiple times losing her cool many times and cutting me off. For the entire time I was trying to ask to figure out why my family member was not getting let off their hold. I told her I wanted to speak to someone else and she told me “no” and hung up on me. She had no compassion for what I had going on and was outright rude to me for the entire conversation. The fact that she works here and experiences people who loved ones are going through the worst moments in their life’s and they still have not figured out how to talk to people professionally with grace is completely outrageous. I can not put into words how upset this made me on top of everything I had going on already. If I could leave less than one star I would.

Vanessa S

Definitely not autism friendly. The lights were too bright, there was a lot of sound, and nowhere comfortable to sleep. I was far overstimulated, and they did not accommodate my needs. The place was scary, the people made me very uncomfortable and anxious, and the staff did not seem very warm and attentive. They told me I could roam around even though it was miserable in there, and there were only two rooms which were occupied by many people who made lots of noise. And there was nothing to do for entertainment which was bad because I was left with my thoughts late at night in an unfamiliar, tight, sensory overloading environment and felt incredibly trapped. There was no comfort in this place which is HORRIBLE for people struggling with mental illness. It’s dehumanizing to trap people in a place like this when they need help. There was one nice girl I really liked, and some friendly people but they were inattentive to my needs.

Cj Strick

This place should be shut down. My friend came here asking for help when dealing with suicidal ideation and was told she "didn't meet the criteria". She took her own life that night. I hope you all feel responsible for this loss of life. She did everything she could to get help and was left to suffer on her own. Rest easy Ty, we miss you.

Graciela Flores

My friend at 20 years old called because she wanted to commit suicide, she was open and honest and they turned her away because “she didn’t meet their criteria”. She committed suicide THAT night! Shame on all of you, you failed my friend, a granddaughter, a daughter, a sister you failed Taylor. Shut this place down. If you have loved ones who needs mental health care don’t send them here.

Liz Zzzz

Since being apart of the Santa cruz county mental health factory I've heard countless horror stories about this place. I'm terrified of being sent here especially after my experience at one of the local residential centers. This place needs to be shut down. In fact the entire Telecare corporation needs to be investigated, its victims need justice. I am so sorry if you or your loved one has been traumatized or even lost their life because of neglect and abuse this company allows to happen at their facilities. This place isn't a psych hospital it's a prison except the inmates aren't criminals they're sick people who need help. I've been to hospitals in Santa Clara County and they're bad but seem like resorts compared to this place. I really hope something is done about this. Mental health services in Santa Cruz County are the worst of the worst, honestly. I don't think I'm ever going to get my life back.

Velveeta Frog

As a person with life long depression I have been to more than one psychiatric facility. I have attempted suicide on a few different occasions. Each time I was serious. I was brought to your hospital by police really in need of help. I was in a bad position. My x boyfriend was in jail for hurting me and I was sleeping in my car because I had to leave our place. Because I was considered “homeless” your staff did not feel my life was worth enough to treat in your facility. Because I was homeless you turned me away. A week later I went to San Jose and took over 300 different pills. Serious stuff too like Xanax and seroquel and opiates. I was in a coma for two weeks. I have brain damage to this day. I always think if I wouldn’t have been homeless this might not have happened. Thankfully I was sent to a good facility that time and got the help that I needed and never did anything like that again. My point is: Never underestimate a person coming to you for help. You serve but one function. To provide psychiatric care and you failed to do that. You failed me and I will never forget that.

Shawna Watson

if you have a loved one in need, do NOT send your loved one here...send them over the hill (Mission oaks) or anywhere where the staff is more supportive. Staff here was unprofessional, lacked compassion - laughed and yelled at patients. lied to patients or at least misled them. Good chance your loved one will come out of here, in a WORSE state of mind. it's sad, especially if you're loved one is suicidal and this is where Dominican takes your loved one for a 51/50 - if you send your loved one here, they will be treated like a sick animal and fed food that is not fit for your dog.

We were at our whits end, trying to get help for a loved one and this was a last resort...i plan on writing a formal complaint to the headquarters of Telecare and the governors office. I would write a formal complaint to the local Telecare office, but after reading multiple reviews dated over 5 years...they obviously don't care to change!

Eden

Let’s just say it’s Hellacare. Absolutely the worst most terrifying and despicable place I’ve ever been to and closest to a prison I’ve ever been. Even my family was horrified and intimidated by the waiting area. If you love somebody, NEVER send them here. I was 18 when I was sent here on a 5150 and I’ve never been so traumatized anywhere but here. Everything about this place screams NIGHTMARE…!