Eastern State Hospital – Lexington

I was taken advantage of here.

Awful treatment. Staff was rude and I had a incident that no one cared about and they brushed it off like it was nothing but it was serious.

I had an great experience I came in very deep depressed about myself and the staff talked to me though and love the recovery mall will miss staff and friends I've met 💓

By far the worst hospital you could go to, please find a different outlet…if u weren’t a threat to yourself and others on the way in you sure will be on the way out… just saying.

They are actively trying to cause my mother’s passing because I won in court against them. I do not want my mother in this facility they deny treatment and master charge her for a bed placeholder. They violate her hippa… rights and laugh about it. Never received one phone call in the month she was there by a doc. Even requested that. Also requested a sit down meeting and to be included in the care for my plan. Can’t be a gaurdain at all with no communication at all. Can’t get her medical records either, family doc can’t even get them. You need a lawyer and a social worker before you admit here. Not a safe place for the elderly or incompetent people. Needs to be shut down permanently and safe transport needs to be offered more places so we are not forced to have to go here ever!

The food wasn't bad at this resort, the activities were plentiful but the crayons were a little dull, and all of the group functions needed more livelyness. The reason for the one star is definitely the staff. They… insisted that I had to stay longer than I wanted to. The worst part is they charged me per day for my unplanned vacation there. I didn't even have an opportunity to try to leave, the we're very insistent. Won't recommend anyone stay here. I pray that I never have to come back.

Review of Eastern State Hospital My experience with this facility was extremely disappointing and deeply concerning. The lack of professionalism, accountability, and basic operational standards is unacceptable for any… healthcare institution. Communication is a major failure here. Calling into the hospital is an exercise in frustration, as phones are left ringing for extended periods before anyone answers—if they answer at all. During one visit, after being denied access without any clear explanation, I called the unit while sitting in the lobby. I personally observed staff at the desk allowing the phone to ring multiple times before picking it up. When the call was finally answered, it was clear that I had interrupted a staff member who appeared to be resting, and the reaction I received was one of irritation rather than professionalism. That alone speaks volumes. Visitation policies appear inconsistent and are enforced without transparency. Being refused a visit “out of the blue” with no reasoning or communication is unacceptable, especially in a setting where families rely on access for support and information. The facility itself feels severely outdated. The continued use of paper charting—with information only entered digitally after discharge—is inefficient and raises serious concerns about accuracy, accessibility, and continuity of care. In today’s healthcare environment, this is simply not acceptable. The level of care and communication from nursing staff is equally troubling. Basic questions are consistently deflected with “you’ll have to ask the doctor,” yet there are reportedly no doctors available on-site during weekends. This creates a complete breakdown in communication and leaves families without answers or support when they need it most. It gives the impression that staff are either undertrained, unsupported, or unwilling to engage. Overall, this facility appears disorganized, outdated, and lacking proper oversight. For a hospital responsible for vulnerable individuals, that is alarming. There is a clear need for: *Immediate staff training in professionalism and communication * Reliable and timely phone response practices * Transparent and consistent visitation policies * Modernized electronic charting systems * Consistent access to qualified medical decision-makers Until meaningful changes are made, I would strongly caution others about what to expect here.

Owe it to be nice to each other.

It's been a few years since I was here but it was so bad I still remember how they never gave me underwear or clothes to change into and when I asked they offered a diaper. I got the flu while I was here too. They… treated the patients like animals it was awful and I'm so glad I only spent 3 days there but now my sister was admitted her and I'm so worried for her. I hope she's okay.

None

DO NOT GO HERE UNLESS YOURE MENTALLY UNWELL! & Dr v is awful !

My late wife was constantly sent here over and over again to try to work out her meds and mental state with only small periods of mental wellbeing. the very last time we tried the "experts" in admissions had the gall to… tell me she was at "baseline" and no reason to be admitted even though we had full list of symptoms and instances that said otherwise. The next week we lost her to an overdose of benadryl as she knew she was unwell and tried to self medicate to have a small moment of peace, So no I would never admit anyone to this hospital unless you wanted them to suffer.

I have a severe mental disability and was placed in a male unit for multiple days.

False hospitalized twice with this place. I have anxiety and depression. Was not a threat to myself or others. I received a bipolar diagnosis when I'm not bipolar and show no signs of this diagnosis. I couldn't eat food… and staff wouldn't go get me a turkey sandwich. I had to beg. Waited forever for a dietician on my second visit. Was yelled at by the nurse giving meds when asking for something for pain in my hands. No online portal for medical records. The people who did the group therapy were the only good part of this place. Also have limited time on showers when a shower is my favorite way to comfort myself.

I was in this Mental Hospital in 2013 and it was my first and one of the most challenging experiences of my entire life! I went through a series of mental exercises where the staff had me in various rooms making it seem… like I was on some kind of cruise ship. Administering mental medications which made feel delusional. I recall having access to my cellphone and calling a classmate from while there told him I feared for my life. It was extremely scary. No one should ever have to go through anything like that.

If I could give this place zero stars, I would. My friend was held here for nearly 24 hours against their will, was told by police they can leave whenever, and that turned out to not be true. The night staff were rude… and snappy, even when asked the simplest of questions. They all seemed clueless. When asked whether patients were on hold or not, they repeatedly said "I don't know" and never followed up with an actual answer. They had absolutely no information on my friend, even after they had been there for 11 hours and didn't tell me much even though I was the only person on their chart. Night shift also refused to let them make any phone calls. During a phone call with me, when my friend, clearly upset waiting for hours, cursed out of frustration, the staff ended our call without warning. The staff act as if they know everything, but in reality, they seem to know nothing about the patients in their care. They leave people waiting alone for hours with no communication, left only with their thoughts. I called the office last night around 11 p.m., and when I asked if they could have my friend call me back soon, and explained that they had been there for 11 hours without receiving any care from a doctor or psychiatrist, the staff member snapped at me and said, "They have actually been here for 8 hours and 53 minutes. We keep tabs on them, and they have been seen multiple times." Though, a couple of hours before that call, my friend told me they had not been seen by anyone. When they were placed on a Zoom call with a doctor, the doctor never showed up. When I called again this morning, they still had barely spoken to anyone about anything important. Once again, the night shift staff were rude and maybe even unqualified due to their lack of empathy and kindness with patients who are dealing with mental health issues, with the exception of one kind older staff member. I was finally able to reach my friend the following morning, and they told me that a staff member had said, "Normal people do not do this," while they were crying and visibly distraught. That is unacceptable to say to anybody, especially people who are there struggling. I am sure there are some great and caring staff members here, but unfortunately, quite a few of them are rude and dismissive not just to patients but also to the people listed on their charts. I would not recommend sending yourself or a loved one here if you are in crisis!

Avoid this place if at all possible. My story is too long to share but I have NOTHING GOOD TO SAY

I'd leave no stars if I would!!!! Hands down the WORST hospital ever!!! They emotionally abused my sister by not letting her see husband and myself even in our birthday as we are twins. I was lied to and told her 4 th… stage ankle pressure wound was taking care of. All they for 2 months is out a foam bandage on it. My sister was seriously sick from all the emotional abuse from the guardian but they did care or read any evidence I left showing how bad Megan her state guardian abused her emotionally and they could care less. Liz the social worker was not interested in anything I had to say about why Cindy was so sick. They took the phone privileges away so she couldn't call me. They only made her illness worse with the continual emotional abuse. My sister Co2 was 90 and the staff didn't provide her with day time oxygen bracket for her wheel chair on a supposed "senior unit". She told the admitting to doctor at Good Samaritan that she could not push her wheelchair and the oxygen tank also. And she has CONJESTIVE HEART failure also. They didn't give a damn about her health or her mental illness. On our birthday the staff told my sister that my husband and I came at the wrong time! Eastern State refused to call me when Cindy went into ICU, even though I explained that Megan Wethington said she would never give me the passcode and Cindy could die alone in ICU. But the God lord always found away and I found out when she went into the hospital. I'm the guardian now. I never knew a hospital and a evil guardian could treat a patient like this period. Much less one who is as I was told in Spring Valley is terminally ill. They have no heart period!!!!

I was so terrified of missing a meal that I forced myself to stay awake all day, which only prolonged my manic episode. I was only able to get some real rest and actually recover when I got home. They treated everything… I said like a delusion when all I needed was some TLC. I've never felt more powerless or terrified in my life than when a "Mental Health Assistant" said that someone forfeited their right to eat by sleeping through lunch. Never once did it occur to these people with so much power over us that maybe we weren't opening up to them for a good reason. They treated checks like something to be gotten out of with good behavior instead of a chance for the patient to bond with the workers. They didn't care about us as individuals at all, redirecting almost every question to a doctor that no one could tell me the name of until I was lucid enough to ask nicely. I was on Gragg 2, and a lot more people got out of checks and joined us down in the recovery mall when I started treating the other patients like individuals and befriending them. I have no doubt that the same toxic mindset that was in the employees on my unit is present on every floor. It's inhumane and unempathetic treatment, plain and simple.

I was isolated For 2 complete days! I personally don’t feel like you should take a depressed person and isolate them! Of course it could have been because of Covid 19, but it was not a good experience for me! It was not… a clean environment! They wouldn’t give us clean clothes or let us take showers when we asked. They would hold people longer than they were supposed to! The doctors were jerks and acted like they knew it all! After only speckling to you 5 minutes they were diagnosing you with something and trying to force you to take medication. They threaten to hold you longer than 72 hours if you don’t do everything they say! It’s a horrible experience and this place should be shut down!!!!

My father has schizophrenia I live in Northern Kentucky. I had him committed to son behavioral health and they sent him down to eastern because you can only stay at son for two weeks so the doctor called me. We were… going to send him down there so they can put him in a long-term treatment so he can get help. I called them when he was on his way down. My father has severe schizophrenia. I mean talking to people that ain’t there all day and night crawling up and down the streets I mean I’ll just leave it at that he was there three days. Got there Friday night they released him Monday morning. Did not call me. Nothing if I could give this place no stars I would. They even gave him a ride on the Covington truly sad man now he is homeless I’ve tried everything to help him and this hurts but I have to worry about my safety And my families thanks a lot eastern appreciate you.

I have seen people killed here

Horrible my wife is currently getting treatment there, I've received no updates on her well being and I've found out she is being held on a petition she went into good sam voluntary they moved her with out my knowledge… they lied said she went in involuntary. She has court tomorrow with out a attorney something is not right with this hospital they should be sued for lying, neglecting their patients.

This place is set in such a beautiful space with trees and the campus is so nice! All of the staff or friendly and patient! One of my favorite places to go!

Took a friend there today, he had tried to kill himself with a pistol and once with a knife. He cried he wanted to die. But the hospital said he would benefit from therapy and medicine but they refused both told him to… find help on his own. The state should shut down this facility.

Dr. V is awful and I’m being kind.

The only place that truly assisted me. They referred me to a therapist who could provide the appropriate medication I required. I am grateful to this hospital for saving my life. I attempted to admit myself to various… hospitals, but none were willing to assist me. Having relocated from another state, I was aware of the medication I needed. Regrettably, therapy in this state is inadequate, and no one appeared willing to assist me. Despite hearing negative feedback about Eastern State, I was concerned that they would be unable to assist me. Fortunately, they connected me with a therapist who could provide effective assistance. Although it took approximately a month to secure an appointment, I was able to see the prescriber within the following one to two weekdays. I am indebted to Eastern State for saving my life. Upon relocating from another state, I presented my comprehensive medical history, which, unfortunately, the mental health professionals in Kentucky disregarded entirely.

One of the worst hospital stays I have had. I was bent over and shot with medications and starved. Also got beat up by a girl named sunshine.

After getting dropped off by officer me and my husband got kicked off the property and got stuck overnight that was 4 years ago and they got rude telling us it wasn't a homeless shelter and we wasn't there for that we… was there for help and we got disrespected for no reason at all