I wish I could give you better news, but since you are new on the job, you may not have a lot of protection. If you had been working at the company for 12 months, then by law they are required to give you up to 12 weeks of medical leave per year and retain your job. It's called FMLA - Family Medical Leave Act. It's federal - entire country. Some states have similar programs that kick in after 6 months of employment. I found out the hard way that this only applies to companies with more than 20 employees.

So the unfortunate thing is, legally, they can fire you. But if you explain to them that you are hospitalized, MOST employers have a bit of sympathy. Under HIPAA rules, you do NOT have to disclose to them the nature of your hospitalization (your diagnosis). It's none of their business. Your HR department may request a letter from your doctor, but if so, only the HR department - and not your boss or coworkers - will know your diagnosis. If they tell anyone, they're in violation of federal laws.

I wish you the best of luck. I know money is important (boy do I know!) but do not let money be more important than your life. You can find another job. If you commit suicide, that's the end. There's no second chances. Get the help you need, and worry about the finances later.

Is there a Phoenix Place in your area? They allow free respite care, not really a hospital but just a safe place to hang out so you won't harm yourself. It's free.