Chicago Read Mental Health Center

If you like getting screwed over multiple times, this place is for you.
Straight up horrible, I made an appointment 6 months before jan 12^th (my appt date) and was informed a week before that you have to order anesthesia and that now i would not have enough time to order it because it takes 2 weeks to do so. My birthday is february 1^st and my insurance expires then, not allowing me to have my wisdom teeth removed covered fully by the insurance. Thanks for forcing me to pay for the service you little rats that wont pick up the phone or give me all the information i need because of your much needed vacations for 3 weeks preventing me from making contact with the center.
I have refused to pay for the removal because of the mediocre service provided by the (of course) state hospital.

The system here is not designed to help — only to contain. Admitting physician hearing impaired and could not even read — visually impaired as well so no history done — only a prepared one by a non-​physician. Politicians used Read for those who voiced political discontent in years past as a way to discredit their voices. Writs would be issued forcing advocates to go through legal proceedings to prove they were sane and to discredit the oppressive & unethical politicians who lied to get the writs .
Admission unit a nightmare ! Men and women were mixed and some of the patients were criminally insane making it a terrifying experience for a female .It was a constant battle fighting off the groping males & there was no help from the staff. Room doors had to be left open at night so one had trouble sleeping as the seriously ill wandered in and out. There appeared to be only one staff person at night and that person slept on the desk. Communication was a nightmare as few staff spoke English — esp. on 2^nd and third shifts. You cannot help people if you do not even know what they are saying so it was hard to deal with even basic needs. Rats were prolific ! Threats were common. Safety was an issue. How on earth could staff write any meaningful notes when they did not even speak English? And how could anyone prescribe meds when they could not communicate enough to do an intake interview? I had to depend solely on my internist who told me not to touch anything they offered me. I had to demand Psychological testing to prove there was nothing wrong with me. I got it and had to be discharged. But damage was done. My daughter who was told to sign papers without knowing what they were had been threatened and subsequently had a nervous breakdown over what she did and the consequences of her actions. Throwing someone into Read if they are really ill would not be a purposeful action unless all you are looking for is containment. And using this as a toll to retaliate against those who politically dissent is a disgrace .
Sympathy to Matt B. who lost hisfather because the suicide watch was not carried out properly ! It does not surprise me at all .
It appears that nothing has changed at Read and that individuals are still AT RISK there !

This is a state hospital that provides many services, I’m just going to say my experience. I have a friend who was assigned here by the smart folks at John J Madden Mental Health Center.
Read facility is comprised of 10 – 15 buildings, all one story, and all connected. Security is tight, visitor hours depend on where the patient is staying, but will probably be 2 or 3 times a week, 1.5 hour window. Call to confirm.
I went to «D-​South» and where they are very picky — basically nothing is allowed except some clothes, books, and a few toiletries. No pens/​pencils (weapon), shoes (shoelaces = noose), belt, plastic bags (suffocation), etc. There are phones, but patients can only call local numbers during the day (10a-​10p). Officially no internet, but social workers might let you do email. Patients here are not allowed outside, and are basically limited to bedrooms and a small living room area.
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