Mine wasn’t a pleasant experience either time if I’m being honest. I technically went in voluntarily but the people I was around didn’t really give me a choice. Not saying it was the wrong choice but I digress.

The point of the place I was in was to keep me from killing myself for a few days, thats kinda it. No doorknobs or hinges, no shower heads, no cloth towels, very thin bedding in a very cold building. They tried to change some medication, tried some group therapy type get-togethers but it was cliche and soulless. I wasn’t allowed my phone or any electronic at all, I could bring a few books but that was the last thing I wanted to do while I was there. Mostly ended up sitting in silence in the little interior cube of outside we had access to and watching ancient reruns on the one TV the ward had.

I’m alive so they did their job at the time but the experience was traumatizing and did more to hurt me than help.

Don’t get me wrong, if you feel you are out of control of yourself then please use this resource and take care of yourself just realize they aren’t there to make you better. They’re there to get you past a crisis so you have the chance to make yourself better later.