I would give this place zero stars if I could, but it is not an option. Please think very carefully…read morebefore sending a loved one here.
We admitted my brother to Banyan Treatment Centers for mental health issues, compounded by intense grief after losing his 8-year-old son. He was flown in from out of state, and the facility was fully aware that he had no local support system. We also made it clear in advance that he had recently undergone mouth surgery and would require smoothies or soft foods -- which we were assured would be accommodated.
Due to flight delays, he arrived in the evening extremely hungry, only to be told that the only available food was cereal.
During the admissions process, they attempted to have him sign paperwork authorizing methadone -- despite being there strictly for mental health treatment, not substance abuse. He later expressed that it felt as though no one actually understood why he had been admitted.
The following morning (Sunday), he woke around 9 a.m. and was told he had missed breakfast. When he explained how hungry he was, he says he was treated as an inconvenience rather than a patient in need. No alternative food was offered.
Later that day he was feel upset and light headed. This led to a panic attack -- something that had been clearly disclosed during intake. In a distressed and disoriented state, he stepped outside and accidentally locked himself out. When he realized he couldn't get back in, his panic escalated. He was crying and pulling at the door in distress. Rather than attempting to de-escalate the situation, staff called the police and removed him from the program, citing property damage.
My brother has no history of violence. The responding officers themselves indicated he was not a threat and appeared confused about why they had been called.
When his belongings were returned, his phone was dead. He was told he had 15 minutes to charge it and leave the property or face trespassing charges. This was a vulnerable individual, from out of state, with no support system -- effectively being put out onto the street.
Before leaving, he briefly spoke with a director who appeared understanding and said she would ensure he received food and follow up with him. That never happened.
To make matters worse, once he reached a safe place, he discovered that several critical medical items had not been returned -- including his heart medication for a congenital condition.
The facility later claimed he refused treatment during the roughly 20 hours he was there. However, when we requested his medical records, we were initially told there was virtually no documentation -- aside from a $5,300 bill. Days later, we received minimal and incomplete notes that did not support that claim.
We were transparent about his mental health needs from the very beginning. There should have been no surprises. He was sent there for help -- yet, incredibly, he never saw a doctor during his stay.
Communication was also a major issue. Before admission, calls were returned immediately. After admission, it became nearly impossible to reach anyone -- even in the midst of this crisis. I have been trying to contact the director for weeks, and my calls have gone unanswered.
This experience was deeply upsetting. In our view, the facility failed to provide appropriate care, compassion, or basic support to a vulnerable patient in crisis.
For context, my brother entered a different treatment program six days later and is now doing very well. He has repeatedly shared how drastically different -- and better -- his current care experience has been.
Please proceed with caution.
