Mental Hospital??!

Mental Hospital??

Does anyone have any experience being or working in a mental hospital? I'm checking in for depression and I'm really scared. I have no idea what it's going to be like. Can you please give me some information about what it's like? I.e....is it structured, do they wake you up at a certain time or is it up to you, do you just sit in a bed all day and talk to your doctor once a day...?? Also, how long do they usually keep you if you're going in voluntarily for depression and you are NOT suicidal? Any and all information would help. Thank you so much.

I was in for five days last October. It's nothing to be afraid of. It's boring, but it's safe. I was in the adult unit and we were woken every morning to get our vitals taken and take meds. You visit the psychiatrist once a day, but not for very long. They get most of their information from the nurses and psych techs who are out with you all day. Depending on what level of restriction you were on you either went to the cafeteria for meals or they were delivered. There was a pretty full schedule of therapy classes, but they were voluntary. You could stay in bed all day, but they'd document it. There was also a lot of free time to watch tv or talk or smoke or whatever. I spent almost all my free time writing in my journal, which I carried around with me constantly, but that's just what I do. As someone said, once you're in you've turned yourself over to the doctor's care and it's their say when you get to leave, unless you decide to leave "against medical advice" which will go on record and will affect future medical endeavours.