Oasis Behavioral Healthcare

My friend’s adopted child who I am the godmother of and very close to stayed here. Diagnosed at another hospital the child was going through more than just teenage rebellion. Ended up being mental illness.
Her child stated that they were mean, felt like he was in prison, he didn’t like the food, they hurt his feelings and didn’t care, it’s all about the money, he didn’t belong there. We heard it all. My friend even would call me crying have chosen that facility because of professional referrals maybe they made a mistake. I felt so bad for her. Not being able to keep their child safe they toughed it out.
I felt bad as well. I was able to visit with parents but not be on phone list which was fine. After a few weeks I realized it wasn’t as bad as he protrayed. It was always clean. Now the patient bathroom wasn’t as clean as the visitors. That is expected of course, but they have potty protectors and it wasn’t gross. The place was clean and quiet. The ladies always encouraged visitors and let them play games with the families. All these terrible things I heard from my god son about them then he would contradict without realizing.
The doctor’s assistant was tough but it was on purpose to test them and the nurses told them that and then help them work out the feelings. It was only a 5 minute meeting once a day. There are strong people in the real world and you must learn to deal with them healthy in real life.
Boring nothing to do was a lie. As we talked to him he would say that they has a WII game system and some kids weren’t fair with their turn so we have videos games. They remodeled the cafeteria when he was there so we had to have a visit in the gym. There were balls stuck up by the air ducts. We asked him the kids did that on purpose and he said no actually two of them were stuck by employees who was playing with them. Oh the abuse. He gained weight there from the medication and was able to have even three servings of food and bragged about the pineapple pork and rice dish. He was able to shave being watched. They were given and able to share clothes with others which was positive. When he left they even let him rummage through so things to take home. The nurses would hang out with the kids and talk with them. They would offer to help the kids with things and they had plenty of things to do artwork with. You can even bring them soft cover books. He had an essay to write for school but said he didn’t have time because they kept them so busy in a routine. He also had a lot of fun goofing with the kids and doing practical jokes he shared. Hmmm He would even say how mean his parents were along with everyone else’s in there and there were always many loving parents there loving, laughing, playing games with the kids during visits, of course no family is perfect and I am sure not all the parents are as well. Only keeping him there for money was untrue. There is always another child needing a bed and as soon as he left there was someone to take his place so saying they were keeping him there for the money was a story. Of course it is a business and they need to make money to run and pay employees. They are even adding on to the facility. Acute is high risk and they don’t let them go outside. They stay in acute usually isn’t too long and their main priority is to stabilize and keep them safe. They are fed well, food may not be the best. He went in weighing 103 now 119.
Now kids are here for many different reasons. Either way, we were thinking if we were making poor choices cause we were sad, broken, abused, just being stinkers, illness or what have you. If we were to be babied and coddled they would be enabling the behavior. They need life skills. My husband and I would not put up with poor behavior from one another. They are not being punished, they are cared for, but they will not tolerate the behavior. Many stop the behavior when they don’t get the response they want. Some times it takes a few trips to hospitals or jail to learn. Some never do. His family doesn’t want him to want to go back. «Oh if I act up or hurt myself I will just be babied for a few weeks and come out and go back to doing what I want!» he originally said. He doesn’t want to go back. Well he is home and listening now and in out patient therapy. Don’t know how he will do but he is doing much better than he was. Peers had a write a nice thing to him day before he left, he said the nurses said they would miss him and he was a good kid. Now he was in the acute program. If he ends up having to go back some day it may be in the residential.
I am not saying the place is perfect. Everyone there has their own personalities just like the real world. Some are warm and fuzzy, others more firm. They have to have somewhat intimidating people around or the staff would have a hard time running things if the kids were out of control. I liked what I saw and the way his family was treated.