Avera McKennan Behavioral Health Ctr – Sioux Falls

The Senior Inpatient Dr Nuss and all staff took care of me when I needed it more than I could have imagined. Sincere thank you to Avera!!

If i could give this place a lower rating i really would. They treated me with such disrespect and prescribed me with bs diagnoses based on biased takes from the adults in my life at the time and lied to me about what… my medication was for, not to mention giving me medication that was to much for my age and leave my current doctors in disbelief. There was absolutely no check in or anything after administering these meds (that mind you,i didn’t need because all if their “diagnoses” were wrong because they asked me little to no questions about how i was feeling as the person with the crisis),I was miserable on those meds and it rang absolutely no alarms in their heads hearing about how my guardian mis administered my medication (one being a stimulant) to where i was a zombie for 2 weeks. I was only freshly 13 during my 3 visits here and i was treated like complete crap,they treat their young patients like they are crazy and unfit to speak or talk for themselves (because how could someone that is asking for help in a time of vulnerability possibly know what they need help with or how they are feeling. 🤦🏻‍♀️)I’m in therapy and still working through my trauma from this place 5 years later. I had a few nice staff members that I encountered back then but the bad far outweighs the good.

Very frustrating to have a loved one trying to get help

Terrible communication on the entire ward and also it just straight up sucks.

My experiences at Avera Behavioral vary. Your time with a Doctor (not a resident or student) is too limited. I actually had a resident/student doctor tell me to try ketamine ! Even in a controlled environment…no way !… The groups are marginally helpful at best. Music Therapy was awesome however. I asked to see a Priest (as I am Catholic), that didn’t happen. They have non-denominational staff come in. Mind you, Avera is a Catholic institution. The food was ok, no complaints. However some of the nurses and Techs are less than nice. I didn’t appreciate being treated like a child by staff. They were very condescending and demonstrative. I was told that since I got up at 9am (versus their 7am) that I would have to wait until lunch to have something to eat. For the record, I am not, nor have been a morning person since my pre-teens. I advised them of this at the beginning. I simply wanted a bowl of cereal and a milk to take with my meds. This had never been a problem in the past. I will say I has SOME very caring staff, but the uncaring far outnumbered them.

I had a brief stay here a couple years ago after experiencing a mental health crisis. The urgent care provider was rude and loudly said personal details about me outside of the exam room so all could hear. Check in… process made me feel like a prisoner. I was given a room with two beds despite saying I had severe social anxiety. I ended up getting an adolescent aged roommate that was transferred to the appropriate unit later on. Some staff were ok, but I mainly felt like a number. My day nurse was condescending. The hardest experience was being prescribed a new medication at a higher dose than it should have been started at, especially since I told the provider I have lower blood pressure at baseline. Sure enough, I ended up passing out from low blood pressure in front of the nurses desk during the night when I came out disoriented and feeling unwell. I had a BP of 70s/40s after coming to when I found two nurses had caught me and set me in a chair. I was dripping in sweat and barely able to hold my head up after blacking out. The provider that wrote a note about the incident claimed I was simply lightheaded and lowered myself to a chair. I felt gaslit by the providers, no one really cared. The night staff were probably the kindest. On a positive note, there were dietary options for gluten free individuals. They also do offer a variety of groups with worksheets to work on during free time.

Released my loved one today after less than 24hrs so she could go directly to a hotel and hang herself. Where is the help?

This place saved my life. I was admitted a little over a year ago due to an extreme episode of psychosis brought on by a two year long depressive episode and a very heavy dose of cannabis. I stayed for about three… weeks. I was a mess before I was hospitalized. I was unemployed, hadn't left my house more than a few times in the previous year, and was too exhausted and paranoid to reach for anything I wanted. The amazing people here set me up with services outside the hospital and I now have a wonderful psychiatrist, therapist, ARMHS workers, and social work case manager. Since my stay, I have managed to: - get a part time job with amazing coworkers and a very understanding manager - find the right medications for me - get my name legally changed (I am transgender and the staff here were wonderful with me) - get my GED (I was severely educationally neglected by my parents, who refused to enroll me in school and who never educated me in certain subjects or beyond 6th grade) and enroll in my associate's in computer science, which I will be starting in June! I haven't yet decided what I want to do for a career - I have some time - but I think I would like to be a full stack developer - get engaged! I am still with one of my partners that I had at the time of my stay and we plan to get married in the next couple of years - improve my relationship with my mom - work through trauma with my therapist (EMDR is amazing) - make new friends - go outside more; I go to work and the library and I hang out with friends - actually have energy for personal projects beyond just my obligations due to my medication stabilizing my manic/depressive episodes and psychosis I cannot overstate how wonderful the staff were, I wish I could remember everyone's names. I remember so many faces and so much kindness towards me. Playing cards and doing puzzles with the older people made me so happy. I remember a lady encouraging my art even though drawing and painting isn't my strong suit. Some names I can remember: Mike from Unit A - thank you for supporting me through the worst of it all, I don't remember much from my first week but I remember your face and your name and I remember you letting me "do mud." LeAnn - thank you for supporting me and for giving me reminders to look beyond myself and my community when I was so worried about myself and people I know personally. Jean Claude - thank you for encouraging my academic side and taking interest in my love for languages. I am still learning Dutch and I have started learning Spanish - I have yet to learn French but that day will come. Garn - we didn't interact a lot but my mom let me know when I got out how you kept her updated and I really appreciated the interactions we did have. Music therapist - I don't remember your name but thank you for letting me sing and for telling me about your instruments. Everyone - I remember you. I may not remember all of your names but I remember you. Thank you. You guys saved my life. I am sorry for how I acted. Thank you for helping me during the scariest time of my life. You guys helped me change myself for the better. Much love! Alex W

I went in seeking referrals and additional support during a difficult time, and unfortunately my experience was very uncomfortable and unprofessional. While speaking with the primary doctor, she made inappropriate… jokes, including asking if I had ever murdered someone. Given my history and the sensitive topics I was there to discuss, that kind of comment was completely out of line and made me feel uneasy rather than supported. I also felt dismissed and talked down to throughout the interaction. When I asked for a moment alone to collect myself, it was not handled respectfully, and I was treated more like a child than an adult asking for help.

Was at this hospital for 10 days for a nervous break down after my son died. The people that took care of me were amazing.

One star for cleanliness. Was dust bunnies all over on the right side of my bed. I was a janitor myself and that was completely unacceptable. Maybe they shouldn't have fired the cleaning staff that was there 20 years… for cheaper labor.

This is the most unorganized facility for mental health that I've ever dealt with. First I had to fight super hard just to get into the PH program. Then my first day group started at 8, I wasn't seen until much much… later. Because I had to fight so hard to get into this program the director (DIRECTOR) straight up came out and told me if I can't control myself I wouldn't be able to be in the program! Are you serious! Anyone who knows mental health we obviously cant always control things otherwise why would be at the behavioral place anyways. They have no idea how to handle mental health and it shows all the way from the top! If another organization has BPD Id take that place over this place any day!

Refused to help me when I had bad allergies. The staff was very mean.

My gf is in there thy will only do 3 calls a day for her only and she is a volunteer she has asked too be discharged and thy just ignore her need help getting her out she wants out she is now fine I visit her and the… last time I visit her she was normal they don't listen thy ignore you thy don't do shit right in Sioux falls avara behavior again she is a volunteer as long as she isn't a harm to herself or others she should be free to go but nope ignore ignore that is all thy do need help. her and I are getting sick of it. Update. I am on her release info and can talk to anyone about her I'm trying to get ahold of the her doctor so I can get a letter or something by Friday for her job still Heard nothing back and I can only talk to her 3 times a day the doctor has not told her that she needs to stay and is not written down on there file she has put in a letter stating she wants to leave and thy just ignore it by law that letter is a contract saying she wants out and if thy didn't put a hold on her and the doctor tells her she can or can't leave with in 24 hrs of sed letter she has to be released but again she is not getting tired of it

I have used the services here multiple times and each and every time I have appreciated all the help I received. Beautiful campus, helpful people, always have a smiling face

I’m sure you wouldn’t rate it well if you have been forcefully admitted here but overall for for standard services it’s pretty good

I think with the amount 1 stars on this place for reviews Avera should take note. I don’t feel the people in place to review patients are in qualified at all. It’s a slide them through and get them out situation and not… taking the time with patients to find out what kinds of problems they are facing and need help with. It is very disappointing to have them release someone that they feel is ok or have cleared only to have a situation occur with in minutes of release. Shame on you Avera! You need to do better!

If I could give ZERO stars I would! Absolutely unacceptable what they consider ok to release from a hold. Big failure and whoever the doctor is that interviews patients should be brought up in front of the board and… credentials reviewed.

My first time here in Jan 2019 was amazing Dr. Gometer was an excellent psychiatrist and provided my family with the most help, Unfortunately my second visit was during the worst time in my life in June 2023, I had no… home, was told I’d be there for 30 days max if no where was found, than I’m told by floor staff I’m not allowed to have contact with my mom or sister who are my direct family. But then I’m questioned by staff than why does it say you have a DSS Worker he approved it immediately over the phone and staff still said no, at this point I’m heated because floor staff aren’t listening so understanding I’m already fired up, I will say it wasn’t my assigned nurses fault , I believe was Hannah , she was just trying to calm me down but at that time I didn’t see it that way, it escalated to the seriousness of an assault, and Sliming on another nurse as well, it wasn’t Laura’s fault either. Now that I think back, I could’ve rightfully talked to Hannah a said here’s what’s bothering me, how I did my my first time there. Yes I am doing better today, but Avera had a huge impact and even a learning lesson each time visited.

First thing in the door we had to wait while the receptionist found the employee that ordered the Subway sub from Doordash. She told us to have a seat while she was on the phone 2 or 3 times calling around. Finally… someone came down and paid for the sub and then we were talked to and got our paperwork started which only took a couple minutes. Why not tell the Doordash girl to hang on a second and help the mental health patient? We sat there for maybe 15 minutes while all of that was going on. Really? That sub is a priority over someone having mental health needs? My mom was there just 2 nights and then they released her. They blamed my mom's mental health breakdown on a bladder infection and released her back into an abusive home. This isn't the first outburst my 83 year old mom has had. It has NOTHING to do with a bladder infection. They didn't even let the infection clear up before they released her. They just wanted her gone ASAP. Don't ignore these reviews everyone. I am not impressed. I wonder if they even read these reviews. Bad review after bad review for years now and very few responses from Avera. Do they care at all about offering good service? If I could give zero stars I would.

At first, I felt a bit nervous because of some of the reviews I had read, but our experience at Avera Behavioral Health was truly excellent. My adult son was hospitalized for eight days, and from the very beginning, the… care he received was professional, compassionate, and respectful. The nursing staff treated him with dignity at all times, and as a parent, I felt included and supported throughout the process. The entire multidisciplinary team stayed in close communication with me, keeping me informed about his treatment, medications, and overall progress. They took the time to listen, answer my questions, and work together with me to ensure my son received the care he needed. My son shared with me that he felt respected and well cared for during his stay. He also received a visit from the chaplain, which was a meaningful source of spiritual support for him and for our family. By the grace of God, my son was discharged in much better condition. Considering everything, this was a very positive experience, and I am deeply grateful to all the staff at Avera for their professionalism, compassion, and dedication. Thank you to everyone at Avera Behavioral Health.

Dishonest healthcare. They very much treat men worse than women concerning mental health issue. Multiple men I've talk to have had terrible experiences here. Had to fight to get in. Then the D R, who is a medical… teaching Dr totally doesn't take into account the patient at all she is not a partner. It's so bad I'm going to complain to the medical board.

I was just in the outpatient partial hospital program. Regarding the group itself I did receive a lot of advice and support from the people who were in the group with me. Except for the therapist’s when I would look at… my daily reports it was a lot of things like I was quiet and didn’t participate. After 3 weeks I had hoped to do the intensive outpatient therapy program but was told by my caseworker that I needed to sure more participation and not to talk about random things that didn’t pertain to the groups. Well sometimes I let others talk and I listened and we only have 1 hour everyday for group therapy so I was not the only one that was talking about problems outside of the therapy group. At least I wasn’t sleeping or on my phone constantly in group. I feel like I have been violated regarding my patient rights and will be filing a complaint!!

Hiring a lady who obviously peaked in high school and makes it everyone else’s problem to run the front desk probably isn’t the best idea for a mental health hospital.

They don’t know how to help you or your loved ones.

My child went there for a couple days and the day of release had a meeting with them and they were amazing every time I called to talk to him. They were very polite and informative.