BONMENTE WILL BLACKLIST YOU FOR MENTIONING BPD & S*ICIDE
They sent me on a loop of submitting intake paper work and waiting for a call back TWICE, just for them to tell me they cant see me. I made it very clear what my issues are and what I am needing. I am not a special case. I am looking for basic care and medication management.
I was rejected for mentioning the words "Borderline personality disorder" of which I was never diagnosed, however I mentioned it as it was suggested to me in a previous care facility as a possibility. I literally just mentioned it to the woman who had already set up my appointment (I had put it in my calendar and everything) - and she basically says they arent equipped to handle BPD patients and they wont treat me. I say I wasn't diagnosed with that...and I have the documentation proving I was never given that diagnosis...that I was just mentioning it as a passing thought, I was just sort of thinking aloud. Nope. Doesn't matter. She keeps just saying they cant treat me "in case" I am BPD. Couldn't anyone looking for answers about their mental well-being and behaviors unknowingly have BPD? So because I said the word I am cursed? I dont understand this logic at all, but the woman was apologetic and I didnt want to bite her head off, so I accepted fate.
I confirm with the old facility by requesting my documents that I was indeed, never diagnosed with BPD. I asked my parents as I was a TEENAGER at that time as well and it is over a decade later, but they remember being educated on BPD as it was sort of newly being discussed, but that they didnt feel I really exhibited the behavior being described for BPD. So I re-apply to Bonmente after calling to explain what had happened. The woman said to go ahead and re-apply. She did not try to save my time or mental-wellness by letting me know if there was any policy preventing a previously rejected person from applying again or anything... she did not tell me any guidelines, I was not given any information outside of her confirming that "Yea, we aren't equipped to treat BPD as none of the providers specialize in that area." Fine, ya know I can understand that. I did my due dilligence finding out that it wasn't true, I dont have it and never did, and on top of that I said it in passing to the woman setting my appointment... How can they reject me on this basis??? Whatever.
I re-apply... after a couple of days of waiting (so this process is now going on over a week, and my desperation for help is increasing), I get an email. Not even a call, a damn email, saying that I essentially am too suicidal and messed up for them to treat me. WHAT?? I made it clear on my forms where I stand with that. I am not suicidal like that. I get depressed or perhaps I get a little manic and am a little more inclined to ramble or go do something spontaneously or maybe I'm extremely irritable... I am not suicidal. I tried to be honest, that yes in my past I have had ideations, that yes like just about EVERYONE I have had the thought "This would be easier if I was dead." But it is not with seriousness. I just need medication again as I can feel myself slipping.
I felt condescended to by the email and completely lead on and misinformed. It was completely obvious as well that non-medical professionals were pre-emptively making calls about my mental state before I even had a chance to be evaluated. I felt discriminated against completely. I mentioned it to my therapist who had suggested Bonmente, and she was shocked and disgusted by this tale and the email Bonmente had sent me. She is taking steps to let her bosses know and they will no longer be suggesting Bonmente to their patients who need psychiatric care alongside the therapy they provide.
Extremely distasteful, offensive, and WEIRD.
HEADS UP TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT WHILE ANSWERING THE CLERK'S QUESTIONS - SHE WILL MAKE EXECUTIVE DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT TREATMENT YOU NEED
I definitely do not think they are a good choice for anyone who is still looking for answers, but perhaps if all you need is re-ups on your medication then they might be ok... I dont know. But if the structure of the company is at all reminiscent of my intake process - STAY AWAY.
Also while I am here, hot tip: ALWAYS CHECK NO-SHOW FEES and cross-check the answer your given with the agreement/contracts you will inevitably sign. In this process I have been verbally told reasonable fees and then the written contract stated it was actually hundreds of dollars more than what I was told. Plus, the true fees (the highest being $500 for a missed appointment) are incredibly predatory and for a group to set such high fees is evidentiary of greed and people taking advantage of a vulnerable group of people.
Advocate for yourself yall, they are NOT on your side. read more