Unfortunately, have had too much experience.
Always better to go in voluntarily...do your homework beforehand..asking T's and Pdoc best places to go with good docs and staff. Usually the big trauma places downtown are not so great because the police dump just about everybody there...

Normally, you have to go through an ER for medical examination and history and risk assessment. Then you are taken up to the floor.
It is a little nerve wracking at first, a lot of questions etc...finally assigned a bed and room. Usually 1 or 2 people per room.

Don't take anything sharp, glass, no medications, or anything with alcohol in it for starters...each ward has their own rules, but those are the norms...wear as little jewelry as possible, take clothes and undies with no ties or shoestrings in them. Take about 3-4 days, usually they have washing machines as well. Normally, some items are kept in nurses area for once or twice a day check out...like makeup and shampoo etc, and rest is for your room. Valuables are put in a vault..but I normally just take a credit card, a few dollars, insurance card, med list, list of a few phone numbers...no wallet or purse. Better to be safe than sorry. Plus nurses hate to have to itemize everything in your purse or wallet etc before sending them to the vault.

Days normally include wake up, which you need to do to take a shower and get cleaned up before breakfast...try to not bother the tech anymore than necessary...often cranky bullies. Med call...get meds from med nurse...
Then you normally go to some informational groups, group therapy, art or recreation, visitors time, whatever they offer. You will see a pdoc every day. You probably will get no real personal therapy unless the pdoc orders it.

Usually a social worker is assigned to make sure you have someplace to go, and a ride home etc...probably won't see them a whole lot. They have to make sure you have a pdoc and or T outside to watch you...they also work with your insurance company daily to get approvals, etc..

There may be some med adjustments...sometimes not a bad idea to have a second pdoc look at your med lists and such....my pdoc never seems to mind and takes their suggestions seriously...

Pretty much observed all day...can't stay in bed all day...check on you like every 30 min during the night..just peek their heads in the door...everything is reported to your pdoc at the hospital...whether you go to groups, how much you sleep, how well you take care of yourself, what you say to staff members, etc..

Don't try to make friends for outside the hospital...never, ever a good idea. Try not to give out too much personal information like last name, company you work with, street address or phone number to any other patients. You don't want other people following you home or calling or whatever. Be nice, but don't exchange information even if they seem friendly and want to. Seen and heard of people getting into a lot of trouble from that...

Try to give permission for your T or pdoc to get information or to call in...you will be given a code number for calls. If the caller does not have code number, they will not even say if you are there or not. They have to keep your confidentiality.
Take a small list of phone numbers since all electronics will be taken from you. Thus, if like me, won't remember phone numbers...

Give people some space, advocate for what you need...and normally out in 2-5 days...depends on insurance and how well you are doing. Mostly just like a longer evaluation and watching for any problems with changes in meds or whatever...
Stay calm...be polite...usuallly I get permission from pdoc for a pen (with limitations) and I take a pad of paper with me to journal on and a book or so...you will have a fair amount of down time actually....

It can be really useful to switch gears, get stable, get on a schedule, get out of isolation, perhaps med changes...etc.

Much better to ask questions beforehand and get in a good, safe and clean unit...even if it is a drive, than to just go to the closest one...

If you are in danger, call the ambulance. You will go to nearest ER and then be evaluated...and then moved to a hospital with psych unit. Know where you want to go.
But be safe first. Don't try to drive if you have done anything unsafe.

It's okay...occasionally, some people have anger issues or act out...just go to your room....don't let it bother you. Usually pretty quiet.

Take good care of yourself...

WB