I thought my state was the only place that acted this way toward people who have to go to inpatient. Except, my state has something called the "baker act" where you are brought to the attention of a social worker, mental health facility, or the police if you are "in danger of hurting yourself or others, or are not mentally stable enough to preform daily tasks" you are baker acted. Of course they ask your consent, but saying no automatically gets you baker acted because that means your "incompetent of making the right choice". It's ridiculous. This stuff needs to be brought to the attention of everyone, especially those who have mental illness or know someone who does. People get harassed and dehumanized in places like these. I went there multiple times, because my mom couldn't deal with me, and they take away all your belongings, except for personal hygiene items, which go in a locker where the staff has the keys, and you have to go to sleep, wake up, and eat at specific times. You get like one 10 minute phone call a day, and visitors at certain times. You legally have to be released out of baker act after 72 hours, but I was there for a week because the doctor was mean, cold, and apathetic, and probably told my parents I had to stay (they NEVER question a doctor or anyone by any means) and she released information to them that I did not authorize, though I was supposed to be protected by the HIPAA act. All I did when I was there was cry. I hated it. It made me more fearful than I was before, and more sad. When you were not eating, sleeping, or forced to do short pointless group sessions, there was literally NOTHING to do. At all.
And you know, a lot of kids, like minors under the age of 18, end up in these places without their parents knowing until they have to call the police and ask where their child is.
If anyone thinks these type of institutions are for "healing"...you probably don't anymore. Don't get me wrong, there may be SOME good places out there...I just don't know about them. So believe me, I know you where you come from! This crap happens more often than people realize and should be stopped...it's cruel in my opinion. We shouldn't have to subject to physiological pain that just adds to the problem. I'm very sorry you had to put up with that place. Ones like those are downright awful.