if the person is in the USA PLEASE do NOT tell them that if they are voluntary they can leave any time. that isnt true in the slightest. even if you are voluntary its up to the pdoc to decide if you are ok to leave. ive asked to leave before and not only have i been told that at many hospitals - some places may also tell you that up front.

most of my hospital stays have been bad. and i say that because i had my safety jeopardized many times and the care that was given wasnt good. i akin it to prison. every hospital is different. but all in all i would say most especially if your dealing with someone severe is not good. but if its for anxiety i would seriously (and i say this with care) rethink going inpatient. sometimes you can go outpatient and its like inpatient except you go home at the end of the day. inpatient houses a lot of people with all kind of MI from the mild issues to really severe and drug addicts. the main reason its not so safe at most places is not because what they deal its because its these people are at their worst and things can get hectic on the unit daily or something.

complete honesty.